t: +685 21929 f: +685 20231 w: report... · 2018-06-09 · provided an overview report on progress...

PO Box 240, Apia, Samoa

E: [email protected]

T: +685 21929

F: +685 20231

W: www.sprep.org

The Pacific environment, sustaining our livelihoods and natural heritage in harmony with our cultures.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.sprep.org/

SPREP Library/IRC Cataloguing-in-Publication Data SPREP Meeting (27

th : 201 : Alofi, Niue)

Report of the Twenty Seventh (27th

) SPREP Meeting,

19th

– 22nd

September, Apia, Samoa : SPREP, 2016.

p. cm.

ISBN: 978-982-04-0638-4 (print)

978-982-04-0639-1 (ecopy)

1. Environmental policy – Oceania - Congresses.

2. Conservation of natural resources – Oceania – Congresses.

3. Environment protection – Oceania – Congresses.

I. Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) II. Title.

363.7099

i

Table of Contents

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................................1

Agenda Item 1: Opening ............................................................................................................................................................1

Agenda Item 2: Appointment of Chair and Vice Chair ...............................................................................................1

Agenda Item 3: Adoption of Agenda and Working Procedures ..........................................................................1

Agenda Item 4: Action Taken on Matters Arising from the Twenty-sixth SPREP Meeting ...................2

Agenda Item 5: 2015 Overview ...............................................................................................................................................2

5.1: Presentation of Annual Report for 2015 and Director General’s Overview of Progress

since the Twenty-Sixth SPREP Meeting ................................................................................................................2

5.2: Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Report (PMER) on the 2015 Work Programme

and Budget .....................................................................................................................................................................3

5.3: Audited Annual Accounts for 2015 .......................................................................................................................3

Agenda Item 6: Institutional Reform and Strategic Issues ......................................................................................4

6.1: Strengthening Regional Linkages Update...........................................................................................................4

6.2: Access to Climate Finance – Adaptation Fund (AF) and Green Climate Fund (GCF) .........................5

6.3: GCF MSP Accreditation Update .............................................................................................................................6

6.4: Pacific Climate Change Centre ................................................................................................................................7

6.5: Framework for Pacific Regionalism .......................................................................................................................8

6.6: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ......................................................................................................9

6.7: Priorities under the Framework for a Pacific Oceanscape (FPO) ................................................9

6.8: SPREP Strategic Plan ............................................................................................................................................. 11

6.9: Audit Committee Report ................................................................................................................................... 11

6.10: EDF 11 ............................................................................................................................................................................. 12

6.11: FRDP ............................................................................................................................................................................... 13

6.12: Governance arrangements for Biennial SPREP Meetings .............................................................. 14

6.13: SPREP and UNEP Partnership ............................................................................................................................... 15

Agenda Item 7: Strategic Financial Issues ..................................................................................................................... 16

7.1: Report on Members’ Contributions .................................................................................................................... 16

7.2: Sustainable Financing .............................................................................................................................................. 17

Agenda Item 8: Corporate Services ................................................................................................................................... 18

8.1: SPREP Director General’s Performance Assessment – CLOSED SESSION: ......................................... 18

8.2: Triennial Review ......................................................................................................................................................... 18

8.3: Appointment of External Auditors ..................................................................................................................... 19

Agenda Item 9: 2017 Work Programme and Budget ............................................................................................ 20

9.1: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management Division – Overview ......................................................... 20

9.1.1: Outcomes of Regional CBD and CITES Pre-CoP Meetings ................................................................... 21

9.1.2: Year of the Whale Update .................................................................................................................................. 21

9.1.3: Revision of Marine Species Action Plans ..................................................................................................... 22

9.1.4: 19th PIRT Outcomes .............................................................................................................................................. 24

9.2: Climate Change Division – Overview ............................................................................................................. 24

9.2.1: Outcomes of the Finland-Pacific Reducing Vulnerability in PICs communities (FINPAC) ....... 26

ii

9.2.2: Paris Agreement follow-up and Preparation for COP22 ....................................................................... 26

9.2.3: Pacific Islands Partnership on Ocean Acidification ................................................................................. 28

9.2.4: Progress and Future of the PPCR Regional Track: Mainstreaming and the RTSM ..................... 28

9.3: Waste Management and Pollution Control Division – Overview ....................................................... 29

9.3.1 Outcomes of the 2016 Clean Pacific Roundtable ..................................................................................... 30

9.3.2: Marine Debris .......................................................................................................................................................... 30

9.3.3: Disaster Waste Management ............................................................................................................................ 31

9.3.4: Asbestos in the Pacific ......................................................................................................................................... 32

9.3.5: Update on the formulation of J-PRISM Phase II ....................................................................................... 33

9.4: Environmental Monitoring and Governance Division – Overview ..................................................... 33

9.4.1: Strategic environment assessment ................................................................................................................. 33

9.4.2: BBNJ negotiations ................................................................................................................................................. 34

9.4.3: Environmental monitoring data collation support services ................................................................. 35

9.5: Consideration and Approval of Proposed Work Programme and Budget for 2017 ................... 35

Agenda Item 10: Items Proposed by Members ........................................................................................................... 36

10.1: Hydrology (Samoa) ............................................................................................................................................... 36

Agenda Item 11: Regional Cooperation .......................................................................................................................... 37

11.1: CROP Executives Meeting Report .................................................................................................................... 37

Agenda Item 12: Statements by Observers ................................................................................................................... 38

Agenda Item 13: Other Business ......................................................................................................................................... 38

Agenda Item 14: High-Level Ministerial Segment (22nd September) “A Resilient Pacific” ................. 38

14.1: Opening and Prayer: ........................................................................................................................................... 38

14.2: Sustainable Development Goals: Challenges of implementation for the Pacific ....................... 38

14.3: Climate Change: Climate Action – Take urgent action to combat climate change

and its impacts ........................................................................................................................................................ 38

14.4: Oceans: Life Below Water – Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas

and marine resources ........................................................................................................................................... 38

Agenda Item 15: Date and Venue of the Twenty-Eighth SPREP Meeting .................................................... 39

Agenda Item 16: Adoption of Report of the Twenty-Seventh SPREP Meeting ......................................... 39

Agenda Item 17: Close .............................................................................................................................................................. 39

ANNEX I: List of Participants ................................................................................................................................. 40

ANNEX II: Opening Address by SPREP Director General ............................................................................ 46

ANNEX III: Keynote Address by the Honorable Toke Talagi, Premier of Niue, ................................... 49

ANNEX IV: Agenda ....................................................................................................................................................... 51

ANNEX V: Statements by Observers .................................................................................................................. 53

ANNEX VI: Opening Address of High Level Segment by Honorable Billy Talagi .............................. 58

ANNEX V: Alofi Communiqué ................................................................................................................................ 60

1

INTRODUCTION

1. The Twenty-seventh SPREP Meeting of

Officials and High Level Ministerial

Segment (27SM) was held from 19-22

September, 2016 in Alofi, Niue.

2. Present at the Meeting were

representatives from American Samoa,

Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of

Micronesia, Fiji, France, Kiribati, Republic of

the Marshall Islands, Nauru, New

Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Samoa,

Tokelau, Tonga, United Kingdom and

United States of America. Apologies were

received from French Polynesia, Guam,

Solomon Islands, Palau, Papua New

Guinea, Vanuatu and Wallis and Futuna. A

full list of participants, including observers,

is attached in Annex I.

Agenda Item 1: Opening

3. The official opening ceremony was held on

17 September at Millennium Hall in Alofi,

Niue. The ceremony commenced with an

opening prayer and blessing by Rev Vili

Kamupala Viviani and was followed by

welcoming remarks from the Director

General of the Secretariat of the Pacific

Regional Environment Programme

(SPREP), Mr Kosi Latu. The Director

General's speech is attached as Annex II.

4. The Meeting was officially opened by the

Honourable Premier Toke Talagi of Niue.

The Honourable Premier's opening

address is attached as Annex III.

Agenda Item 2: Appointment of Chair

and Vice Chair

5. In accordance with the Rules of Procedure

of the SPREP Meeting, the Meeting host

Niue was appointed as Chair and

Federated States of Micronesia was

appointed as Vice Chair of the 27SM.

6. The Chair of the Twenty-sixth SPREP

Meeting (26SM), HE Ms Jackie Frizelle

representing New Zealand, thanked

Members and the Secretariat for the

privilege of serving as Chair in the

preceding 12 months. The Chair of the

26SM noted that the previous year had

been an historic one for the Pacific

environment and that SPREP had been at

the centre of many key successes.

7. Ms Josie Tamate, representing Niue,

thanked the Chair of the 26SM for her

leadership and took the Chair.

The Meeting:

confirmed the Representative of

Niue as Chair; and

confirmed the Representative of

Federated States of Micronesia as

Vice Chair.

Agenda Item 3: Adoption of Agenda

and Working Procedures

8. The Meeting reviewed the Provisional

Agenda and the suggested hours of work.

9. The Meeting appointed a Report Drafting

Committee comprising Australia, United

States, Niue, France, American Samoa and

New Caledonia to be chaired by the Vice

Chair.

2

10. France conveyed apologies from French

Polynesia. France also commented that

working papers for the 27SM were

distributed too close to the

commencement of the Meeting and

further noted that the full complement of

French language papers were yet to be

received. The United States later also

noted the difficulties presented by the late

publication of the working papers. The

Director General apologised to France and

to all Meeting delegates for the delay in

distributing papers and assured the

Meeting that steps had been taken to

ensure that the issue does not happen

again.

The Meeting:

considered and adopted the

Provisional Agenda (attached as

Annex IV);

agreed on hours of work; and

appointed an open-ended Report

Drafting Committee comprising

Australia, United States, Niue, France,

American Samoa and New Caledonia

to be Chaired by Federated States of

Micronesia as Vice Chair of the 27SM.

Agenda Item 4: Action Taken on

Matters Arising from the Twenty-sixth

SPREP Meeting

11. The Secretariat reported, by way of a

Working Paper, on actions taken against

the decisions and directives from the

Twenty-sixth SPREP Meeting (26SM) which

was held in Apia, Samoa from 22-24

September, 2015.

12. In response to a request from Australia,

the Secretariat agreed that actions arising

from Agenda Item 7.2 relating to

budgetary matters would be addressed

during the Meeting.

The Meeting:

noted actions taken against the

decisions and directives of the 26SM.

Agenda Item 5: 2015 Overview

Agenda Item 5.1: Presentation of Annual

Report for 2015 and Director General’s

Overview of Progress since the Twenty-

sixth SPREP Meeting

13. The Director General presented the 2015

SPREP Annual Report to Members and

provided an overview report on progress

since the 26SM.

14. United Kingdom, France and Australia

thanked the Director General for the

report and congratulated SPREP on all the

actions undertaken in 2015.

15. France acknowledged the key role played

by SPREP in working with Pacific nations to

mobilise and present a common voice at

COP21 in Paris. France noted that many

Pacific island Members had ratified the

Paris Agreement, but that more nations

would need to ratify the Agreement to

ensure that it becomes a Treaty.

16. Australia said that it was pleased to be

able to support the Secretariat’s activities

through multi-year funding and noted two

additional partnerships not covered in the

report, namely the partnerships with the

Australian Bureau of Meteorology and

Griffith University. The Director General

noted the strong platform of partnerships

that SPREP has established with Australian

entities and commented that these would

3

be discussed in more detail throughout

the Meeting.

The Meeting:

noted the report.

17. In accordance with the SPREP Meeting

Rules of Procedure, the Secretariat

presented its Performance Monitoring and

Evaluation Report (PMER) on the 2015

Work Programme and Budget.

18. New Zealand noted that the report shows

the breadth and depth of the work of the

Secretariat in 2015, but encouraged

reporting against outcomes rather than

activities which would lead to simpler

reports focused on the difference that

SPREP is making in the Pacific. Samoa,

United States, New Caledonia and France

agreed that SPREP's monitoring of results

and reporting can be improved and more

strategically focused.

19. New Caledonia stated that the new SPREP

Strategic Plan reflects the need for better

measuring of the outcomes and results

and noted that giving effect to this will

require a changed mindset by Secretariat

staff and Members as to how reporting is

carried out. New Caledonia suggested that

a summary report is sent to Ministers.

20. France concurred, and stressed the

importance of the PMER highlighting the

achievements of the year in concrete

terms. France also noted that the delayed

receipt of the Meeting papers did not

allow for a more comprehensive comment.

21. The Director General noted that this would

be the last time that the Secretariat will

report in this format and that the new

SPREP Strategic Plan, scheduled for

discussion in Agenda Item 6.8, would

guide the development of a Performance

Implementation Plan (PIP) and associated

Results Framework to improve SPREP’s

results planning, performance reporting

and learning.

22. With reference to the budget, New

Zealand sought clarification on the

reference to 87% of the approved budget

being spent and enquired as to what

happens to the unspent portion. In

response, the Director General explained

that the spending of funding depends on

the time of receipt during the year and the

time allowed for expenditure. The

Secretariat further noted that some funds

can be rolled over to the following year,

while others need to be returned to the

donor.

The Meeting:

noted achievements as presented in

the 2015 PMER.

23. In accordance with Financial Regulation

27(e), the Secretariat presented its Audited

Annual Accounts for the year ending 31

December, 2015, and noted that the

auditors had provided an unqualified

opinion of the Secretariat’s financial

operations for 2015.

4

24. Australia noted the issue of the current

deficit and advised that further comment

on this would be provided in Agenda

Items 7.2 and 9.5. Australia noted that it

does not owe additional funding under the

'extra extra budget' line. The Secretariat

noted this clarification and thanked

Australia for its continued support of

SPREP.

25. In response to a question from New

Caledonia, the Secretariat explained that a

table outlining SPREP expenditure by

country or territory would be provided

before the end of the Meeting.

26. While acknowledging concerns regarding

the budget deficit, the Secretariat

explained that the core budget deficit is a

common issue across CROP agencies and

provided assurance that it would be

eliminated by the time of the next SPREP

Meeting in 2017.

The Meeting:

reviewed and adopted the audited

Financial Statements and Auditors’

Report for 2015.

27. The Secretariat updated Members on

SPREP in-country Officers employed

through the Pacific Ecosystem-based

Adaptation to Climate Change (PEBACC)

project, the signing of the Host Country

Agreement with Fiji (and subsequent

launch of the Fiji Office), the signing of the

Host Country Agreement with Federated

States of Micronesia and the current status

of Desk Officers in Republic of the

Marshall Islands and Federated States of

Micronesia.

28. New Caledonia noted that the sub-

regional presence had enabled the

Secretariat to provide dedicated and direct

assistance in-country and acknowledged

efforts of the Secretariat to reduce costs

through the co-location of offices. New

Caledonia emphasised that the

Secretariat's sub-regional presence would

become more crucial as it moved into a

biennial SPREP Meeting format.

29. Federated States of Micronesia noted the

success of the current arrangement in

Federated States of Micronesia and

suggested that additional Desk Officers,

with specialties in different areas, would

amplify this success.

30. Fiji acknowledged the value of the recent

establishment of a SPREP office in Suva.

31. United States requested that the

Secretariat provide details of the

responsibilities and accomplishments of

the Desk Officers to assess the impacts,

benefits and resource implications of the

trial arrangement. New Caledonia, United

Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia,

American Samoa, France and Fiji

supported this proposal.

32. New Zealand proposed a light study be

undertaken to obtain information on the

roles of the Desk Officers and what a cost

benefit analysis might cover, stressing that

such a study could be carried out in-house

to minimise costs. United States proposed

that the study could be done without any

additional travel required and United

5

Kingdom suggested that the study could

potentially be based on existing reports

already available with the Secretariat.

The Meeting:

noted the signing of the host country

agreement with the Government of Fiji

and official launch of the SPREP Fiji

Office in 2016;

noted the signing of the host

agreement with the Government of

Federated States of Micronesia;

noted that SPREP is finding innovative

ways to reduce the costs of sub-

regional offices including aligning to

project activities and budgets, and co-

location with other organisations; and

directed the Secretariat to provide an

in-house report on the roles,

achievements, and costs of the Desk

Officers and report back to the SPREP

Meeting in 2017, and to provide

advice on the need for, cost and

proposed timing of undertaking a

cost-benefit analysis of the Desk

Officers arrangement.

33. The Secretariat reported to the Meeting

with an update on SPREP's delivery as a

Regional Implementing Entity (RIE) for the

Adaptation Fund (AF), Green Climate Fund

(GCF) and associated climate finance

matters.

34. The Secretariat noted its intention to

continue to pursue programmatic

approaches to climate action driven by

country priorities, and continue to deliver

key ‘readiness’ support for countries.

35. United States and Australia expressed

appreciation to France for its support and

leadership in organising and hosting COP

21. The Meeting recognised the efforts of

the Pacific island community in building

consensus for an Agreement.

36. Kiribati, Nauru, Cook Islands, Tokelau, and

Samoa thanked SPREP for its support in

project development and capacity

building, and Kiribati and Australia

expressed their gratitude for support

provided by the GCF Pacific Coordinator.

The Meeting agreed that building capacity

within the Secretariat and Members is a

priority.

37. Federated States of Micronesia noted that

leaders endorsed the FRDP during the

Pacific Island Forum meeting in Pohnpei,

and that SPREP should therefore align its

activities and programmes with this

decision. This suggestion was supported

by Cook Islands and New Zealand.

38. United States detailed several of its

programmes dedicated to helping

participants address climate change,

including by building capacity for them to

access climate change funding through

ADAPT Asia Pacific, Institutional

Strengthening in PICs to Adapt to Climate

Change, and the newly announced Climate

Ready programme.

39. The Meeting noted that as the only RIE in

the region, SPREP needs to take the lead

on collaboration, coordination and

cooperation with other regional agencies

and Implementing Entities.

40. Kiribati, Samoa and Fiji expressed support

for SPREP's programmatic approach. The

Secretariat noted that this will streamline

6

its support to Members, and encouraged

Members to work with the Implementing

Entity that is most appropriate to their

needs.

41. New Caledonia and Tokelau noted that as

territories they are not eligible for GCF and

AF funding and requested that the

Secretariat consider other sources of

support and to work to include them in

climate change activities. The Secretariat

agreed that efforts will be made to ensure

that all Members benefit from activities

being undertaken.

The Meeting:

noted the issues raised, including the

preferred programmatic approach to

delivery, and provided feedback;

considered and advised the

Secretariat on country and/or

regional priorities that it would like

to see addressed through the AF or

GCF;

tasked the Secretariat to strengthen

its own capacity to support

Members' ability to access climate

finance including through readiness

support from the GCF; and

tasked the Secretariat to compile

information about existing initiatives

to build SPREP Members' capacity to

access climate finance.

42. The Secretariat provided an update on the

GEF Council’s accreditation pilot and the

implementation of the medium size

project (MSP) for SPREP to become an

accredited agency to the Global

Environment Facility (GEF).

43. Niue noted the issue of the shortfall of

GEF-6 resources and reported that it is

using its USD 3.8 million allocation to

develop proposals with UNDP in order to

mobilise resources quickly.

44. United States acknowledged the

Secretariat’s progress towards achieving

accreditation with GEF and expressed the

view that such accreditation would be of

significant benefit to the Pacific region in

improving access to the fund.

The Meeting:

noted the MSP deliverables and

results towards building the

Secretariat’s capacity to comply with

GEF accredited standards and that

the MSP will be completed by the

end of 2016;

noted the GEF’s Governing Council

decision to defer the discussion on

the future of the GEF accreditation

towards the end of GEF-6, 2018 and

that the Secretariat would follow-up

and prepare its application in due

time;

noted the potential shortfall of GEF-

6 resources and encouraged Member

countries to liaise with their council

representative and alternate

representative to engage effectively

on this matter and requested the

Secretariat to monitor and report

back to Member countries the

decision of the GEF council meeting

in October 2016;

considered the programmatic

approach pathway for GEF-7

programming by Pacific island

Countries;

invited Member countries to identify

and request support needed to

expedite full programing of their

GEF-6 STAR; and

7

agreed that the Secretariat must

maintain improved capacity and

continue to strengthen its function as

an Executing Agency and

Implementing Agency.

45. The Secretariat updated Members on the

progress of planning for the Pacific

Climate Change Centre (PCCC) and

reported on preliminary discussions about

the Centre's potential role within the

region.

46. The Chair commended SPREP for its vision

in considering the PCCC as much more

than simply a building. New Caledonia,

Federated States of Micronesia, Australia,

Cook Islands, United States, New Zealand,

Niue, United Kingdom and France

commended the progress made on the

PCCC and noted the support provided by

the Government of Japan and the

Government of Samoa.

47. Australia proposed that the Steering

Committee should include representatives

of other CROP agencies and metropolitan

Members. The suggestion to include other

CROP agencies was supported by New

Zealand.

48. New Caledonia, Federated States of

Micronesia, Australia, Cook Islands and

United States expressed support for the

establishment of a Steering Committee to

develop a governance and operating

model for the PCCC and Federated States

of Micronesia, Australia, United States, and

New Zealand expressed interest in being

part of the Steering Committee. France

also expressed interest in participating in

the Steering Committee, potentially

through IRD or SPC.

49. New Caledonia suggested that the

Steering Committee could be the same as

the PRP and that a report could be

submitted to the PRP meeting in

December. Cook Islands agreed and

added that the Steering Committee should

work closely with working groups set up

by the Pacific Island Forum Leaders

Meeting.

50. New Zealand recommended tabling the

PCCC proposal at the next meeting of the

CROP Chairs and CEOs Joint Steering

Committee on Governance and Financing

Review. New Zealand further suggested

that the Secretariat may wish to consider

updating and strengthening the July 2015

business case for the PCCC.

51. Niue highlighted the need to build

capacity on the ground and suggested

looking at a 'one-stop shop' for mobilising

financing and identifying how small island

countries can be best supported.

52. United Kingdom noted that climate

change is a cross cutting issue and that it

is important to send a clear early signal

about the PCCC's operational priorities.

United Kingdom stated that it would

welcome a coordinating role and

recommended networking opportunities

with universities in the United Kingdom.

53. The Secretariat thanked the Members for

their enthusiasm, and agreed that the

Steering Committee should to be

broadened to include CROP agencies and

metropolitan Members. The Secretariat

8

also noted the importance of integrating

activities with the FRDP and the PRP.

The Meeting:

noted the progress of the Pacific

Climate Change Centre;

endorsed the role of the Pacific

Climate Change Centre as a shared

regional hub for inclusive collaboration

to meet the priority adaptation and

mitigation priorities of Pacific island

countries and territories;

endorsed the Pacific Climate Change

Centre as a platform for fostering and

enhancing genuine partnerships and

collaboration for addressing the

challenges of climate change resilience

for the Pacific region;

noted with appreciation the

Governments of Japan and Samoa for

their generous support of the Pacific

Climate Change Centre, and requested

for the Chair of the SPREP Meeting to

convey to Japan and Samoa a note of

appreciation; and

endorsed the proposal that SPREP

convene a small Steering Committee

of Members and CROP agencies to

drive the regional consultation on the

regional vision, operating model, and

governance arrangements for the

PCCC, and to engage with the Leaders

mandated working group process to

elaborate on the Pacific Resilience

Partnership to implement the FRDP.

54. The Secretariat updated the Meeting on

the progress of initiatives related to the

Framework for Pacific Regionalism, noting

its submission of two regional policy

initiatives for consideration by the

Specialist Sub-Committee on Regionalism

(SSCR), its involvement in the Pacific

Islands Forum (PIF) led review of regional

Governance and Financing for the CROP,

and progress made towards CROP

harmonisation.

55. The representative observer from the PIF

welcomed SPREP’s efforts to integrate the

Framework for Pacific Regionalism (FPR)

into its new strategic plan. The observer

acknowledged that the regional public

policy process, under the FPR is on-going

and would require the continued

engagement and commitment by SPREP,

including the SCCR and its consultative

processes, Leaders priority initiative on

regional Governance and Financing, and

the review of the CROP Charter.

56. New Caledonia, New Zealand and Cook

Islands expressed support for the

Framework, particularly for its principle of

inclusive participation and its thematic

areas.

57. New Zealand noted the challenges of

resourcing among multiple CROP agencies

and of aligning agency priorities with the

Framework. New Zealand expressed the

opinion that the timing of the two reviews

is appropriate and timely given the

development of the new SPREP Strategic

Plan.

58. Cook Islands expressed the desire to

receive clear recommendations from both

reviews and requested advice on the

implications of the cost recovery on

Members. The Secretariat responded that

the CROP CEOs had held initial discussions

on harmonisation and cost recovery,

particularly on a standard fee for services.

9

The Meeting:

noted the update on the Framework

for Pacific Regionalism and its

implications for SPREP; and

provided advice and guidance as per

the above.

59. The Secretariat provided an update on

progress made towards implementing the

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

60. France welcomed the engagement of the

Secretariat in the SDGs, noting the

widespread global consultation process

used in their development, and hence their

global applicability.

61. New Caledonia acknowledged the

participation of the Secretariat in the

Sustainable Development Working Group,

and commended the work by this group,

notably the development of the SPC

bilingual database (NMDI) to record the

monitoring of implementation of the

SDGs.

62. New Zealand observed that many national

development plans are aligned to the

SDGs, hence with so much investment in

the SDGs, SPREP should consider adopting

the relevant SDGs into its results

framework for streamlined reporting.

The Meeting:

noted progress with the SDG

process;

endorsed SPREP’s involvement with

the delivery of the environmental

dimension of the 2030 agenda for

sustainable development; and

requested the Secretariat aligns the

SPREP results framework to relevant

SDGs.

63. The Secretariat provided the Meeting with

an update on current ocean priorities

under the Framework for a Pacific

Oceanscape (FPO).

64. Australia, New Caledonia, Nauru, Niue,

Tonga, Federated States of Micronesia and

Samoa thanked the Secretariat for the

comprehensive paper and congratulated

SPREP for its work in this area. Nauru

expressed its appreciation of assistance

provided to Nauru by SPREP in Biodiversity

Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ)

negotiations.

65. Australia sought clarity on the meaning

and intent of the term 'major regional

oceans initiative', noting the need for

securing a more stable funding base. The

Secretariat explained that this

recommendation was to develop a

programmatic approach to addressing

oceans issues and to secure more long-

term or sustainable funding, for example

through large proposals to the GCF and

other major donors.

66. United States noted the efforts by the

Secretariat to provide technical support for

members in the BBNJ negotiations, and to

advance integrated ocean management,

and the many significant related outcomes

of the Our Ocean conference held in

Washington DC in 2016 including both

public and private initiatives.

10

67. The Meeting noted the recent creation of

the world’s largest Marine Protected Area

(MPA) through the augmentation of the

Papahānaumokuākea Marine National

Monument in Hawaii and the second

largest MPA in Pitcairn Islands and

congratulated United States and United

Kingdom for these developments.

68. United Kingdom advised that Pew will be

funding satellite monitoring in the Pitcairn

Islands MPA for the next four years and

thanked SPREP for securing funding to

support this surveillance.

69. In response to a question from Samoa, the

Secretariat explained that the UN Oceans

Conference will be held in New York,

United States. The Secretariat further

explained that the venue of the conference

was determined by leaders and by the UN.

70. Samoa and New Caledonia expressed

regret that the Conference would not be

hosted in the region. Fiji clarified that

while the conference will no longer be

held in Fiji, the Government of Fiji will be

co-hosting the New York conference with

the Government of Sweden.

71. New Caledonia advised the Meeting of its

collaboration with Cook Islands and

Australia and stressed the importance of

sharing knowledge with other states and

neighbouring states sharing the same

space.

72. New Caledonia commended the strong

commitment for oceans shown by PIF

Leaders at their recent Pohnpei meeting

and Federated States of Micronesia shared

the statement made by PIF Leaders in the

Meeting Communiqué. New Caledonia

further noted the initiative of SPC to

propose to its members to discuss a

regional agreement for cooperation

among Pacific island countries and

territories to support responsible deep sea

mineral management in the Pacific region.

73. Niue sought clarification on which agency

was taking the lead in providing technical

support on high seas and BBNJ. The

Secretariat advised that as the lead

regional organisation on the environment

it provides the lead on a range of related

technical issues on BBNJ, but noted that

this technical advice is most effective for

Members when delivered in concert and

close collaboration with the technical

advice from the other CROP agencies.

The Meeting:

noted SPREP’s efforts to advance the

interests of Members on biodiversity

beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ)

and integrated ocean management,

including through participation in the

2017 UN Oceans Conference;

encouraged Member participation in

the upcoming CBD-Sustainable

Oceans Initiative (and Pacific Ocean

Alliance) regional workshops on

integrated ocean management and

marine Aichi Targets;

encouraged SPREP to collaborate with

partners in the spirit of the Framework

for a Pacific Oceanscape, to mobilise

resources to support the operation of

regional activities and mechanisms

such as the Marine Sector Working

Group (MSWG) and the Pacific Ocean

Alliance (POA), and to provide

technical support in cooperation with

the Office of the Pacific Oceans

Commissioner (OPOC); and

endorsed the Secretariat to

collaborate with partners and

11

coordinate with the OPOC, the MSWG

and the POA to develop a major

regional oceans initiative for

substantive action on achieving

sustainable ocean economies,

balanced with conservation of

biodiversity and mindful of Pacific

cultural and social values, consistent

with the Pohnpei Oceans Statement.

74. The Secretariat presented the draft SPREP

Strategic Plan 2017-2027, as requested at

the 26SM in 2015, for the Meeting's

discussion and endorsement.

75. The Meeting acknowledged the excellent

work of the Secretariat and all other

parties involved in developing the SPREP

Strategic Plan 2017-2027 and made special

reference to the thoughtful and highly

consultative process employed in its

development.

76. The Meeting also applauded the strong

emphasis that the Plan places on the

issues of oceans and climate change.

77. Tonga, Samoa and Niue expressed

concern that the plan does not include any

reference to work in the realm of Ozone

Depleting Substances. The Secretariat

explained that work in this area is covered

by the broader themes outlined under

Waste Management and Pollution Control.

78. New Zealand, United States, New

Caledonia, Niue and United Kingdom

made suggestions for minor amendments

to the text of the report, all of which were

supported by Members and incorporated

into the Plan.

79. United States suggested inclusion of an

organisational goal to achieve a balanced

and sustainable budget.

80. Samoa made a suggestion for the diagram

of the fale to include a 'foundation'. This

suggestion was supported by the Meeting

and the Secretariat agreed to incorporate

a foundation on the fale that references

Pacific island cultures and values. This

amendment was also incorporated into the

Plan.

81. Australia noted that it looks forward to

working with SPREP in the implementation

of the Plan through the provision of

continued technical and financial support.

82. The Secretariat thanked the Meeting for its

positive comments, guidance and support.

The Meeting:

adopted the SPREP Strategic Plan

2017-2027; and

directed the Secretariat to work

closely with the FoC to complete the

Performance Implementation Plan

(PIP) and the Results Framework and

to report back to the 2017 SPREP

Meeting.

83. New Zealand, on behalf of the Audit

Committee, reported on activities

performed by the Audit Committee during

the period 1 July, 2015 – 30 June, 2016 as

per the Internal Audit Policy and the Audit

Committee Charter.

84. New Zealand noted that the Secretariat

had received an unqualified audit opinion

but emphasised that the issue of repeated

12

deficits needed to be addressed. The

Director General acknowledged that the

budget deficit is an important issue, but

also noted that the deficit had been

reduced significantly in the past year and

that the Secretariat was confident of

reducing the deficit further.

85. New Zealand queried whether it may be

beneficial to have additional members

appointed to the Audit Committee. The

Secretariat noted that this issue was being

discussed by the Audit Committee. New

Zealand also encouraged the Secretariat to

prioritise the finalisation and adoption of

the foreign currency policy and review of

the reserve policy.

86. New Caledonia noted that the diagrams in

the report were useful and requested

whether it would be possible for the

reports to be shared more widely. The

Secretariat agreed to raise this query with

the Audit Committee and reiterated the

fact that the Audit Committee operates

independently.


Caledonia about policies in place for fraud,

foreign exchange losses and other issues,

the Secretariat explained that a large

number of policies had been developed

with assistance from the MSP and that

many of these were currently being trialed.

The Secretariat further confirmed that a

fraud policy is in place.

88. In response to a comment from Australia

regarding enterprise risk management, the

Secretariat stated that it is considering a

dedicated full time role responsible for

implementing a risk management plan as

recommended by the Audit Committee.

The Secretariat further noted that this

responsibility is currently delegated to the

Deputy Director General.

The Meeting:

endorsed the report from the Audit

Committee for the period July 2015 –

June 2016, and requested an update

to Members on the Secretariat’s

response to the recommendations of

the Audit Committee by March 2017.


progress of the Pacific European Union

Marine Project (PEUMP) and the waste

management component of the Eleventh

European Development Fund (EDF11)

Pacific Regional Indicative Programme

(RIP).

90. New Caledonia thanked the Secretariat for

the information provided on EDF 11 for

the overseas territories component of this

fund noting its involvement in

programming for this fund (regional

authority). New Caledonia expressed its

support in maximising implementation of

these funding sources for the region.

91. New Caledonia asked the Secretariat if it

was involved in discussions on how the

European Union will interact in the region

when the Cotonou Agreement finishes in

the near future. The Secretariat advised it

has not been involved in discussions on

the Cotonou Agreement.

92. Niue thanked SPREP and the European

Union for the support already provided

through the EDF10 PacWaste project,

particularly in the areas of asbestos and

healthcare waste, and looked forward to

the continuation of this through the EDF11

13

projects being developed. Niue asked

France to convey its gratitude to the

European Union.

93. The United Kingdom advised that its

commitment in the current EDF funding

cycles (EDF11) include a 15% contribution

from the United Kingdom despite the

recent Brexit result and confirmed its

continued commitment to the region.

94. France thanked Niue for acknowledging

the financial support from the European

Union and assured Niue that it will convey

this to the European Union Ambassador in

Suva. France further advised that it also

provides an 18% contribution to the EDF11

funding cycles. France also welcomed the

comments provided by the United

Kingdom.

The Meeting:

noted that although the EDF 11

project on sustainable use of marine

resources, PEUMP, has been delayed, it

appears to now be on track for

implementation to begin in late 2017

or early 2018;

noted that the Government of Sweden

may contribute significant further

funding to PEUMP;

agreed to collaborate with the

Secretariat once implementation

begins, specifically to investigate the

mitigation of turtle by-catch in

commercial fisheries and to undertake

a range of activities to promote

ecosystem-based adaptation to

climate change and conservation of

coastal biodiversity; and

noted the progress of the EDF11

Management of Waste component is

on schedule to commence early 2018

with a continuation of stakeholder

consultations throughout 2016/2017.

95. The Secretariat provided an update on the

Framework for Resilient Development in

the Pacific (FRDP) noting that the revised

FRDP had recently been submitted to, and

endorsed, by Leaders at the Forty-seventh

Pacific Islands Forum in Pohnpei,

Federated States of Micronesia.

96. Noting that successful implementation of

the FRDP depends on the development of

strong partnerships, the Secretariat sought

support from the Meeting for the

proposed Pacific Resilience Partnership

(PRP) which would be responsible for

measuring progress, overseeing

monitoring and evaluation, and

developing a communication strategy for

the FRDP.

97. The Secretariat, by way of a Working

Paper, also provided details of a proposed

tripartite arrangement between PIFS,

SPREP and SPC to coordinate FRDP

implementation and manage the PRP, thus

harnessing the strengths and comparative

advantage of each of the three CROP

agencies to build resilience to climate

change and disasters in the Pacific region.

98. New Zealand, Tonga, New Caledonia,

France, Australia and Samoa commended

the Secretariat for its role with engaging in

the development process of the FRDP and

PRP and acknowledged further work is

needed to strengthen collaboration

among CROP agencies and relevant

partners to ensure successful

implementation of the Framework.

14

99. Australia noted that Pacific Island Forum

Leaders tasked PIFS with coordinating with

agencies partners and stakeholders to

progress the working group for the FRDP.

100. Some Members noted that the PCCC

could be a platform to link strategies and

coordinate efforts to implement the

Framework.

The Meeting:

supported the FRDP as approved by

the Leaders Meeting;

supported the Pacific Resilience

Partnership (PRP) as the new

partnership formed under the FRDP;

tasked the Secretariat to continue

working in close collaboration with

Members, CROP agencies and relevant

partners in the implementation of the

FRDP to ensure integrated good

governance of the FRDP, and the best

use of the region’s technical and

political resources to build Pacific

resilience to climate change and

disaster risk reduction; and

tasked the Secretariat to report back

on progress to the SPREP Meeting in

2017.

101. The Secretariat, by way of a Working

Paper, presented three potential options

(with variations) for governance

arrangements for biennial SPREP

Meetings and invited Members to

consider the options and provide

feedback.

102. New Zealand expressed its preference for

a simplified option that supports the

reasoning behind holding biennial SPREP

Meetings, notably to achieve cost savings

and productivity efficiencies for the

Secretariat. New Zealand added that the

governance option must ensure that

Members can monitor performance and

enable important decision-making in

non-SPREP Meeting years. For this reason,

New Zealand supported the idea of an

Executive Board noting that the Troika

could still operate within the Executive

Board and the Chair could be the same

person.

103. France suggested that a board or

committee should comprise sub-regional

representation (Melanesia, Micronesia,

Polynesia plus Metropolitan countries)

with the Chair position rotating between

the groups. France noted that these

points assist with the current challenges

of bilingual representation as it would

enable Francophile representation within

each sub-regional group.

104. Australia expressed confidence in a

suitable governance mechanism being

found and agreed with New Zealand that

this requires principles to determine the

governance structure needed and well-

defined Terms of Reference.

105. United States noted that an Executive

Board would allow for a greater and

broader representation of SPREP

Members at discussions of essential items

of business such as the budget or review

of the annual work.

106. New Caledonia supported the

suggestions of New Zealand and others

to simplify the governance arrangement

and expressed a preference for an

Executive Board. New Caledonia added

that the mandate and Terms of Reference

for the chosen governance option must

be endorsed by the full SPREP

Membership.

15

107. The Secretariat, in response to a question

from New Caledonia, clarified that the

biennial SPREP Meeting cycle will

commence from the 2017 SPREP Meeting

in Apia.

108. United Kingdom noted that an Executive

Board would bring multiple co-benefits,

but that it should be a simplified

arrangement with a clear mandate and

Terms of Reference.

109. New Zealand noted that the Troika role is

needed for consistency of engagement

and monitoring, whilst the Executive

Board role is needed for review and

decision making. New Zealand further

noted that Troika function is nimble and

provides continuity in operation during

both SPREP Meeting and non-SPREP

Meeting years, and the Executive Board is

more representative and has oversight

and monitoring tasks in years between

SPREP Meetings. New Zealand suggested

that both roles are needed.

110. The Chair called for the formation of a

Friends of the Chair (FoC) group -

comprising Australia, Cook Islands,

France, United States, New Caledonia,

New Zealand and Niue - to meet on the

margins of the SPREP Meeting to

progress the discussion further.

111. The FoC reported back to the Meeting

with a set of recommendations which

were endorsed by the Meeting.

The Meeting:

agreed to the establishment of an

Executive Board (EB) to be the SPREP

decision-making body in the alternate

years of Biennial SPREP Meetings;

agreed that the Executive Board

would be comprised of the Troika plus

4 additional Members representing

Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia and

Metropolitan Members;

agreed that the Secretariat, in

conjunction with the FoC develop TOR

for the EB based on the following

principles:

1. A body to take key governance

decisions in years alternate to the

SPREP Meeting

2. Membership based on Member

representation and equity,

including bilingualism

3. A mechanism that is cost effective

and sustainable

4. A mechanism that is flexible to

include other membership as

necessary

5. A mechanism that ensures that

the Secretariat remains

accountable to Members

6. Other existing governance

mechanisms (Troika and Audit

Committee) remain

noted that the TOR should

include rules of procedure

including for:

representation by sub-regions

and metropolitan Members

EB reporting to Members

Initial review of the arrangement

at 2019 SM

requested that the FOC report the

proposed structure and TOR for the EB

to the 2017 SPREP Meeting and

include a comparative assessment of

costs relative to Apia-based SM and

non Apia-based SPREP Meeting.

agreed the initial meeting of the EB

will be immediately following the 2017

SPREP Meeting, thereafter meeting

annually face to face taking

opportunities of other regional

meetings to save costs with back-to-

back meetings as well as by electronic

means.

16

112. Mr Sefanaia Nawadra of the United

Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

updated the Meeting on the

implementation of the strategic priorities,

approved by the 26SM, for the UNEP

Pacific Office and the UNEP-SPREP

partnership.

113. New Caledonia thanked SPREP and UNEP

for their collaboration and sought further

information on the workshop on Green

Economy/South-South Cooperation.

UNEP explained that the workshop will

fund seven countries to exchange ideas

on green economies and that it is open to

territories at their own cost. It was further

explained that a series of workshops are

planned, including one in the north

Pacific.

114. Niue thanked UNEP for facilitating the

GEF-PAS 'Prevention, control and

management of invasive alien species in

the Pacific islands' project and noted that

Niue is looking forward to the next

invasive species project under GEF-6.

The Meeting:

noted with appreciation the progress

in the status of implementation of the

strategic priorities for the UNEP Pacific

Office and the UNEP-SPREP

Partnership;

endorsed the recommended changes

to the strategic priorities merging

priorities IV with V and VI with VII

respectively;

noted the outcomes of UNEA 2 and

the steps taken to follow up on

implementation especially the relevant

resolutions;

conveyed appreciation and

congratulations to Samoa for its

effective leadership in guiding the

SAMOA Pathway Resolution through

to successful adoption at UNEA 2;

urged Members to note the dates for

UNEA 3, OECPR-3 and Global Major

Groups and Stakeholders Forum and

fully engage with the preparatory

process for UNEA 3 including

proposing priorities and themes for

the UNEA-3, accredit their Permanent

Representatives to UNEP and attend

the Second Forum of Ministers and

Environment Authorities of Asia

Pacific; and

conveyed its congratulations, through

the Chair of SPREP, to Mr Erik Solheim

on his election as the Executive

Director of UNEP and our commitment

to continued strengthening of our

partnership with UNEP under his

leadership.


14, the Secretariat reported to the

Meeting on the status of Member

contributions as at 31 December, 2015

and provided an update on the status of

Member contributions as at the time of

the Meeting.

116. The Secretariat noted that outstanding

voluntary contributions, as at 15

September 2016, amounted to USD

695,622 and clarified that additional

voluntary contributions of USD 21,478

were received as a result of the 5%

optional voluntary increase requested by

the Secretariat at the 26SM.

17

117. France noted that Members’ contributions

are a recurring problem, and that it’s

unfair to ask for voluntary contributions,

when it is generally the same Members

who don’t pay their contributions. Rather

than call for voluntary contributions,

France believed that it would be better to

find ways to encourage Members to pay

their contributions promptly.

118. United States, Federated States of

Micronesia and United Kingdom clarified

their financial arrangements that relate to

their contributions. United States

reminded the Meeting that the 26SM had

encouraged the increase of voluntary

contributions, not made it mandatory.

119. The Secretariat acknowledged points

made by the Meeting and thanked those

Members who had made arrangements

for the payment of outstanding

contributions.

The Meeting:

considered the report and addressed

the problem of outstanding Member

contributions; and

committed itself collectively and

individually to paying current and

outstanding contributions in full in

2016.

120. The Secretariat presented a report to

Members on actions undertaken by

SPREP to achieve sustainable financing for

the organisation.

121. United States noted its current policy for

zero nominal growth in international

organisation budgets and member

assessments, and for organisations to

establish priorities and absorb cost

increases for high priority programmes

and initiatives through cost reductions in

lower priority programmes and initiatives.

122. Australia requested the Secretariat to

furnish budgetary information early in the

year to inform discussions on budget and

further requested the Secretariat to

prepare a draft budget for 2018-2019 to

be tabled at the 2017 SPREP Meeting.

This was supported by New Zealand.

123. New Zealand reinforced the importance

of financial sustainability being built into

every governance and management

mechanism at the Secretariat and

suggested that the Secretariat provide a

brief quarterly update to the Troika on

performance against budget for core,

reserve and project funding. New Zealand

stressed the importance of delivering a

balanced budget and asked that the

policies on foreign exchange losses and

on reserves be completed and

implemented as soon as possible, with a

report on this provided to Members. New

Zealand encouraged discipline around the

firm application of a realistic

administration fee with exceptions

reported to Members. They also stressed

that new initiatives and partnerships

should be assessed with a view to their

financial and resourcing implications

including net impact on budget.

124. Niue expressed concern at the potential

burden that additional reporting may

place on the Secretariat. New Zealand

clarified that the reports could be very

brief and should be a normal part of the

Director General’s financial oversight of

SPREP anyway and so it should not be an

18

extra burden. Provision of these reports to

the Troika could potentially be a

temporary measure until the budget

situation improves. France expressed the

view that quarterly financial updates

should be a regular occurrence, not a

temporary measure.

125. New Caledonia expressed concern about

the suitability of certain project-funded

consultants to match local and regional

needs and contexts and requested that all

projects managed by the Secretariat

should consult national counterparts in

the selection process of consultants.

The Meeting:

reviewed and noted the update

report by SPREP on Sustainable

Financing;

noted the progress made on

measures to ensure a sustainable

budget and directed the Secretariat,

working with the Friends of the Chair,

to further report to Members on

options and actions that address the

Secretariat’s core budget pressures, by

the end of March 2017. The options

developed will be considered and used

by the Secretariat to inform

preparation of the 2018 – 2019 budget

where considered appropriate;

noted that the Secretariat will provide

a brief quarterly update to the Troika

and Members on performance against

budget for core, programme, reserve

and project funding; and

directed the Secretariat to complete

the policies on foreign exchange,

reserves, and cost recovery by

December 2016 and to report back to

Members on any exemptions to these

policies.

126. This was a closed session.

The Meeting:

noted and endorsed the review

completed by the Troika of the DG’s

PDP for the period Jan-Sept 2016;

endorsed the proposed draft annual

PDP for the DG for the period Sept

2016 – Sept 2017 and request the

Troika to work with the DG to finalise

this Plan;

noted the valuable contribution that

members of the Troika provide in the

work of the Secretariat through active

participation and regular constructive

feedback; and

approved adoption of a 360 degree

process as part of the DG’s appraisal.

127. The Secretariat updated the Meeting

on the Secretariat’s position on the Report

of the 2015 CROP Triennial Review of Staff

Terms and Conditions.

128. The Secretariat also informed the Meeting

of key developments that have taken

place within the participating CROP

agencies over the past year, including an

invitation from the Chair of the 2015

Forum Officials Committee (FOC) to

consider the concept of a Joint Members

Sub-Committee on Remuneration, and

invited the Meeting's views and

suggestions on this proposal.

19

129. The Secretariat noted that there had been

no progress in the Triennial Review, that

there was no longer a unified position on

harmonisation and that some CROP

agencies were considering withdrawal

from the process. The Secretariat noted

that it continues to be committed to the

principles of harmonisation, although

affordability and keeping up with the

market are problems.

130. New Zealand stated that the current

recommendations posed a difficulty as

the recommendations of CROP Executives

were not in line with the messages that

New Zealand is receiving from CROP

Governing Councils. New Zealand

requested clarification about whether SPC

was proposing abandonment of

harmonisation, and suggested that the

Secretariat should accept the invitation to

join the FOC Joint Members Sub-

Committee on Remuneration.

131. Cook Islands agreed with New Zealand

and urged the Secretariat to continue

work on this process.

132. New Caledonia noted that harmonisation

comes at a cost, and that this needs to be

considered before finalising a position.

133. The Secretariat reiterated that it supports

harmonisation, but acknowledged that

some CROP partners have had difficulties,

because of their financial capability, and

that this has been discussed for some

time.

134. France noted the need to harmonise

remuneration among CROP agencies, but

observed that there is substantial

competition, with both regional and

international organisations namely, in

terms of salary.

135. The Meeting agreed on the establishment

of an inter-sessional Friends of the Chair

(FoC) working group comprising Australia,

Cook Islands and New Zealand, to

propose next steps for engaging in the

regional process for harmonisation of

remuneration.

The Meeting:

noted that the Secretariat continues

to support the principles of CROP

Harmonisation of Remuneration;

tasked the Secretariat to set up an

inter-sessional Friends of the Chair on

next steps for engaging in the regional

process for harmonisation of

remuneration; and

directed the Secretariat to accept the

invitation from the Chair of the Forum

Officials Committee 2015 to

participate in the sub-committee.


29, the Secretariat updated the Meeting

on the appointment of external auditors,

noting the term of office of the

Secretariat’s current external auditor will

expire on 31 October, 2016.

137. The Secretariat advised that a tender had

been advertised for the audit of its 2016

and 2017 accounts. Six tender proposals

had been received and all six tenders

satisfied the required criteria. The tender

evaluation committee recommended that

the contract be awarded to BDO Samoa

for the financial year ending 31 December

2016 and then to tender again next year

for the external audits for the two (2)

years 2017 and 2018.

20

138. United States requested the Secretariat to

provide more explanation on the

selection of BDO Samoa as the

recommended auditor to the financial

audit for 2016. United States noted that

the evaluation report stated that all

bidders were capable of doing the job.

Given this, the United States requested

clarification on why the tender should not

be awarded to the lowest bidder.

139. The Secretariat advised that the panel had

considered recommending the lowest

bidder for the audit, however, due to the

change in personnel at SPREP it was felt

that continuity was of prime importance.

140. Following the Secretariat’s clarification,

United States noted that the 25SM had

recommended against awarding the

contract to BDO in 2016 and expressed

hope that this commitment would be

honoured in 2017. The United States

underscored that it is financially prudent,

and a good governance practice, to

regularly rotate audit firms.

141. In response to a query from American

Samoa about whether the full proposals

could be provided, the Chair urged the

Meeting to base its decision on the

summary information already provided.

The Meeting:

considered the paper and endorsed

the appointment of BDO Samoa for

one (1) year only, to audit SPREP’s

2016 financial accounts, reiterating

that BDO not be selected the following

year and a competitive tender be

issued for 2017.

142. The Secretariat presented an overview of

the Biodiversity and Ecosystem

Management Division's work programme

activities for 2017 in the areas of island

and oceanic ecosystems, threatened and

migratory species and invasive species.

143. The Secretariat also updated the Meeting

on the outcomes of the Pacific

Environment Forum which preceded the

27SM.

144. France thanked the Biodiversity and

Ecosystem Management Division for its

important work, and applauded the

initiatives planned, and already

undertaken, for the Year of the Whale.

145. In response to a comment from France on

the need for increased attention for

marine turtles, the Secretariat explained

that SPREP has maintained a turtle

programme for many years and although

this is currently in hiatus, the associated

database is still maintained and regularly

utilised.

146. The Secretariat further noted that the

issue of turtles as by-catch will be an

important component of the EDF 11

funded Pacific European Union Marine

Project (PEUMP).

The Meeting:

noted the 2017 work programme for

the SPREP Biodiversity and Ecosystem

Management Division.

21


the outcomes of the joint preparatory

meeting for Thirteenth Conference of the

Parties to the Convention on Biological

Diversity (CBD COP 13) and the

Seventeenth Conference of the Parties to

the Convention on International Trade in

Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and

Flora (CITES COP17) which was held from

15-16 August in Apia, Samoa.

148. Tonga, New Caledonia, United States and

New Zealand thanked the Secretariat for

their work in this area.

149. New Caledonia and France expressed an

interest in participating in future

preparatory meetings for the CBD and

CITES. France noted that an invitation to

the meeting had not been received but

that if it had, it would have most certainly

been accepted.

The Meeting:

welcomed the outcomes of the joint

preparatory meeting for CBD COP13

and CITES COP 17 including the

Pacific Voyage: One Pacific Voice

campaign and approach.


activities conducted as part of the Year of

the Whale programme and invited the

Meeting to review and discuss initiatives

proposed for 2017, including an

exhibition at the Tjibaou Cultural Centre

in Noumea and a major regional

conference called ‘Whales in a Changing

Ocean’ to be held in Tonga.

151. Tonga noted the economic importance of

whales to Tonga’s economy and the

exponential increase in activities from

eco-tourism linked to whales.

152. New Caledonia expressed its gratitude in

being able to host the whale exhibition at

the Tjibaou Cultural Centre in Noumea

and gave special thanks to New Zealand

to giving this exhibition a regional

perspective.

153. Australia informed the Meeting that

Australia and New Zealand are co-

sponsors of the forthcoming resolutions

that will be introduced to the

International Whaling Commission.

Australia also advised that notable

Australia experts will be attending the

conference in Tonga and that it intends to

report on SPREP's activities at the

upcoming International Whaling

Commission Meeting.

154. In response to a question from France

about the processes set up for the

conference in Tonga, the Secretariat

advised the conference is a fully funded

event at the technical level and that the

Secretariat would be seeking participation

from scientists from French Polynesia,

New Caledonia and France.

155. Samoa inquired as to whether there are

any strategies developed on minimising

noise impacts on whales. Samoa further

commented they would be interested in

piloting such a strategy and noted the

economic importance of this for eco-

tourism. The Secretariat advised that the

22

main noise issues are from large vessels

and military applications, but sponsors are

promoting traditional craft of electric

motors (powered by solar) and small

diesel (powered by coconut oil) which are

useful for pilot applications and could be

scaled up in the future.

156. United States noted the 2014, 2015 and

2016 Our Ocean Conferences resulted in

international commitments of USD 9.2

billion to ocean conservation and

protection and commitments to protect

over nine million square kilometres of

ocean, an area that is the size of the

United States.

The Meeting:

noted with approval the

implementation of activities organised

by the Secretariat for Year of the

Whale, and agreed (subject to the

provision of funding support) to

ensure their representation at the

conference, Whales in a Changing

Ocean, to be held in Nuku’alofa in

March-April 2017; and

invited Members, supporters and

potential collaborators, including the

International Whaling Commission and

the Convention on Migratory Species,

to provide technical and financial

assistance in the planning and

implementation of 2016 - 2017, Pacific

Year of the Whale, in particular for

Whales in a Changing Ocean, to be

held in Nuku’alofa in March-April

2017.

157. The Secretariat reported to Members on

recent initiatives related to the

conservation of threatened and migratory

marine species covered in SPREP's Marine

Species Action Plan.

158. Australia, New Caledonia and New

Zealand expressed their support for the

recommendations.

159. Australia noted that the Secretariat was

seeking support to convene a regional

workshop in 2017 or 2018 on marine

species to develop a revised Marine

Species Action Plan and requested a

clearer picture on the development of the

next Plan for 2018-2023, with budget

options. Australia also noted that the

Whales Symposium in Tonga could

provide a useful opportunity to begin this

process and affirmed its offer to provide

technical assistance in the revision of the

action plan.

160. New Caledonia noted that the National

Museum of Biodiversity in Paris is

organising a workshop in late 2016 on

monitoring the egg laying of sea turtles in

New Caledonia. It expressed its

disappointment about the recent visit to

Noumea of the consultants appointed to

provide a comprehensive report on

ecotourism in the region, which they

thought had been ill-prepared. It also

requested that SPREP provide examples

of protocols for monitoring the egg laying

of turtles and a written update on the

functioning of the Secretariat’s TREDS

database programme on sea turtles, as

well as information on stranding

networks, in order to draft provisional

TOR in view of implementing this type of

network in New Caledonia. It also

suggested for SPREP to provide clearer

explanations to local authorities on

implementing a sub-regional task force

on invasive species in Melanesia.

23

161. New Zealand noted its strong support of

the conservation of sharks and other

vulnerable species and noted that the five

species of turtle that frequent New

Zealand waters are fully protected under

the Wildlife Act. While recognising the

constraints for Pacific island countries in

becoming signatories to CITES, New

Zealand supported and encouraged

efforts by SPREP to increase membership.

It also expressed its support for the

reduction of marine debris and said that it

is working closely with SPREP in the lead-

up to the next meeting of the Western

and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission.

162. The Secretariat thanked Members,

welcomed Australia’s offer of technical

support in revising the Marine Species

Action Plan and assured New Caledonia

that it would be happy to respond and

engage on their request. The Secretariat

also recognised the support and effort of

New Zealand and Australia in supporting

Members on CITES issues, especially in

the recent pre-COP meetings.

163. The Secretariat noted that there is an

ongoing programme with Wallis and

Futuna on invasive species and

biodiversity and informed the Meeting

about an upcoming visit to Wallis and

Futuna, jointly with New Caledonia, and

agreed to provide updates. It also noted

the partnership with Noumea Convention

and the upcoming meeting of Melanesian

invasive species practitioners.

164. United States commended the

conservation efforts of the Secretariat and

valued the contribution of the Pew

Charitable Trusts in supporting a Sharks

and Rays Officer. It also supported the

need to comprehensively tackle marine

debris including reduction of marine litter

from land-based sources.

With reference to dugong, the Meeting:

noted the engagement of Solomon

Islands and Vanuatu in the global

initiative for the conservation of

dugong and seagrass habitat funded

by the Global Environment Facility and

the Convention on Migratory Species.

With reference to turtles, the Meeting:

reaffirmed SPREP's commitment to a

programme under the EDF 11 PEUMP

project, to reduce and mitigate the by-

catch of turtles in commercial fisheries;

and

endorsed the Secretariat’s

engagement in a new regional

initiative on hawksbill turtles, led by

WWF.

With reference to sharks and rays, the

Meeting:

noted with approval the progress

made through the appointment of a

Shark and Ray Conservation Officer

and agreed that the Secretariat should

continue to actively support Fiji in its

proposal to list mobula rays on CITES

Appendix II.

With reference to International Conventions,

the Meeting:

endorsed SPREP's increased level of

engagement with the CITES Secretariat

and called on donors and supporters

to consider funding the establishment

of a CITES Officer at SPREP.

With reference to marine debris, the Meeting:

endorsed efforts to reduce the

amount of non-degradable marine

debris, in particular that which is

generated by the fishing industry.

24

With reference to regional cooperation, the

Meeting:

agreed to encourage those

government agencies of Members

who have not already done so to

approve the release to the Secretariat

of the GEN-3 Observer Reports, held

by SPC, on by-catch of non-target

threatened species and species of

special interest in commercial fishing

operations in Members’ EEZs.

With reference to ecotourism, the Meeting:

agreed to participate in the

Secretariat’s review of ecotourism in

Member countries.

165. The Secretariat provided an update to

Members on the work of the Pacific

Islands Round Table for Nature

Conservation, with a view to informing

the Meeting on the outcomes of the

Nineteenth Pacific Islands Roundtable for

Nature Conservation on mainstreaming

biodiversity.

166. United States congratulated the efforts of

the Secretariat on its work on biodiversity

and agreed that efforts should be

undertaken in an integrated and

comprehensive manner.

167. Niue enquired whether FAO was invited

to Round Table and if they made a

presentation on agriculture related work

including the FPAM project. The

Secretariat confirmed that this was the

case.

The Meeting:

noted the key role of the Pacific

Islands Round Table for Nature

Conservation as a coordination

mechanism for implementing the

Framework for Nature Conservation

and Protected Areas in the Pacific

Islands region 2014-2020;

agreed that mainstreaming

biodiversity should be an integral part

of the revised and updated NBSAPs;

and that it should be implemented in a

more coordinated, inclusive and

integrated manner involving key

stakeholders at national, sectoral, and

local levels; and

noted with appreciation the outcomes

of the Nineteenth Pacific Islands

Round Table for Nature Conservation

on Mainstreaming biodiversity.

168. The Secretariat provided an overview of

the Climate Change Division's work

programme activities for 2017 in the areas

of implementing adaptation measures,

improving capacity, knowledge and

understanding of climate change risks

and reduction and contributing to

greenhouse gas reduction.

169. Niue, New Zealand, Tonga, Australia,

Samoa and France thanked the Climate

Change division for its report and for its

ongoing work in this important field.

170. Niue expressed the view that SPREP

should be working to ensure that it is

seen as the champion of climate change

issues in the Pacific region. New Zealand

and the Secretariat endorsed this view

and noted the elevation and increased

25

emphasis on climate change in the new

SPREP Strategic Plan.

171. Australia noted the recent announcement

from the Australian Prime Minister of AUD

300 million over the coming four years

towards climate change related initiatives

in the Pacific region. Australia further

noted that a fundamental theme

emerging from the subsequent

consultation process has been the

importance of coordination at the

national, regional and global level. The

Secretariat agreed that coordination is

crucial and emphasised SPREP's

willingness to work transparently and

cooperatively with multiple partners to

coordinate initiatives at a regional level.

172. Samoa expressed appreciation for the

pre-COP training provided by SPREP, and

noted the work and progress of the

FINPAC and COSPAC projects. Samoa

further acknowledged the assistance

provided by NOAA on capacity building

for Pacific Meteorological staff and the

valuable assistance provided by the

Meteorological Services of both New

Zealand and United Kingdom.

173. United Kingdom commented that the

United Kingdom Meteorological Services

was pleased to be providing targeted

support on upper air data to the Pacific

region, and noted the importance of

building predictive capacity to increase

understanding of global climate changes.

174. France informed the Meeting of its

involvement in an international working

group that has been formed to explore

the reduction of greenhouse gases in the

area of marine transport. Niue thanked

France for raising this issue. The

Secretariat also noted this development

and advised the Meeting of an

International Maritime Organization

(IMO)/European Union initiative that is

looking at the issue of shipping and

greenhouse gas emissions globally. The

Secretariat advised the Meeting that

SPREP and SPC have submitted a joint EOI

to the European Union and the IMO and

is awaiting an outcome.

175. United Kingdom advised the Meeting of

an upcoming Assembly of the

International Civil Aviation Organization

(ICAO) and urged Pacific island Members

to bring a strong voice to this gathering,

noting that a funding source for climate

change mitigation projects will be created

through the ICAO.

176. Tonga informed the Meeting of the

Pacific Centre for Renewable Energy and

Energy Efficiency located in Tonga.

177. New Caledonia proposed to insert a

recommendation thanking IUCN

members for adopting motion 060 during

the IUCN’s world convention, which

further reinforces the international

community’s awareness of this issue. It

also wishes to continue working on

defining a resilience policy for New

Caledonia.

The Meeting:


the SPREP Climate Change Division;

and

thanked IUCN members for the

adoption of motion 060 Pacific Region

Climate Resilience Action Plan.

26


the outcomes and lessons learned from

the implementation of the Finland-Pacific

Project on Reducing Vulnerability in

Pacific Island Countries (FINPAC).

179. Samoa, Niue and Tonga thanked the

Secretariat and the Government of

Finland for the FINPAC project.

180. Samoa noted the assistance provided by

FINPAC in improving forecasting,

awareness and early warning systems in

Samoa. Niue also noted the benefits the

project has provided including a new

weather station, two metrological displays

for awareness, a compendium and two

village pilot projects.

181. Both Samoa and Niue commented that

the FINPAC project finishes at the end of

this year and expressed strong interest in

a continuation of this first phase

potentially through further funding from

the Government of Finland, Government

of Sweden or other non-traditional

donors.

182. New Caledonia supported the comments

made by Samoa and Niue and requested

that the reports generated in the context

of the FINPAC project be shared. It

informed Members that Météo France in

NC can usefully supplement the FINPAC

project by supporting National

Meteorological Services (NMSs),

especially French-speaking ones, such as

those in Vanuatu.

The Meeting:

noted with appreciation the

Government of Finland financial and

technical support to the Pacific, the

NMS and partners;

noted the outcomes of the FINPAC

Project; and

encouraged SPREP to explore

opportunities through a new project

proposal to the GCF or other donors

to replicate the lessons learned and

address the gaps from the FINPAC

Project.

183. The Secretariat updated the Meeting, by

way of a Working Paper, on the Paris

Agreement and SPREP’s support for

Pacific island Members attending the

Twenty-second Conference of the Parties

(COP 22) to the United Nations

Framework Convention on Climate

Change (UNFCCC).

184. The Meeting commended France for its

leadership in Cop 21.

185. France thanked the Meeting for

recognising its efforts at COP 21, thanked

the Small Island Developing States for

support during the conference and

praised the Pacific island nations for

raising the profile of climate change

impacts.

186. France noted the importance of Pacific

island nation contributions to the success

of COP 21 and, noting the ratification by

seven Pacific island nations already, urged

the remaining Pacific island nations to

also ratify the agreement by the

December 2016 deadline. France advised

27

that the European Union is also very

active on this issue and aims for all

European Union members to ratify the

Agreement by the end of the year.

187. France advised that its overseas territories

will also be included through a specific

contribution which indicates the high

level of support France and its territories

have for the Convention. New Caledonia

has been invited to provide a list of

activities it will undertake to meet this

Convention by October 2016. New

Caledonia advised that this information

will also be provided to the Secretariat.

188. Tonga noted its past support for COP 21

and continued support for COP 22 and its

intent to ratify the Convention during this

week.

189. Australia advised that it signed the Paris

Agreement on 22 April 2016 and is

working hard to ratify it by the end of this

year. Australia stated that it remains

deeply committed to the Paris Agreement

and actions on climate change and noted

its continued support through capacity

building of negotiators particularly for

female contributors. Australia advised that

together with New Zealand they would be

hosting ‘Pacific drinks’ in Marrakesh this

year.

190. United States commended the crucial role

by Pacific islands in the successful

conclusion of the Paris Agreement and

noted the United States and China had

recently signed the agreement on the

margins of the G-20, bringing it much

closer to meeting the threshold for entry

into force of 55 countries representing

55% of carbon emitters. United States

also noted its continued efforts to assist

Pacific nations and other vulnerable

nations to overcome the impacts of

climate change.

191. United States advised of its pledge of

USD 3 billion to the GCF and its

recommendation that 50% of this is

provided to more vulnerable countries,

which includes Pacific island countries,

and reminded the Meeting of President

Obama’s recent pledge of USD 30 million

at the Pacific Island Conference of Leaders

for new Pacific programming to combat

climate change.

192. United States also urged those nations

that will be attending the next Montreal

Protocol meeting to support the phase

down in HCFCs which, if eliminated, can

reduce global warming by 0.5 degrees

Celsius.

193. United Kingdom advised the Meeting of

its deep commitment to COP 22, stated

that United Kingdom is committed to

reduce its own emissions by 80%, and

said that it expects to ratify the

Convention shortly.

The Meeting:

noted the information presented in

this paper;

provided additional comments

regarding ways in which SPREP can

support PICs to implement the Paris

Agreement;

provided additional comments

regarding ways in which SPREP can

support PICs at COP 22; and

encouraged those in a position to do

so to provide additional resources to

support SPREP’s work in this area.

28


New Zealand Pacific Partnership on

Ocean Acidification (PPOA) project and its

efforts to expand the project into a

regional programme with support from

the GCF.

195. New Zealand and United States thanked

the Secretariat and other partners and

acknowledged contributions by the

Principality of Monaco and involvement

of NOAA, NIWA and others.

196. New Zealand and Australia also welcomed

the recent progress on development of

the GCF coastal ecosystems resilience

programme of work.

197. Australia noted the involvement of the

Pacific region in the Fourth Global

Symposium on Ocean Acidification in a

Changing World in Melbourne, Australia.

198. United States noted the wide range of

activities it is undertaking in the area of

ocean acidification such as the Argo

(ocean buoys) programme, training

personnel in management and

monitoring of ocean acidification, and

committing funds to address ocean

acidification in ACP countries.

199. Niue urged the Secretariat, Members and

partners to continue increasing Member

and partner involvement in the ocean

acidification issue.

The Meeting:

noted with appreciation the support for

the PPOA project from New Zealand

and the Principality of Monaco;

encouraged SPREP and Member

countries and territories to prioritise

ocean acidification monitoring and

adaptation efforts under climate change,

and to coordinate their efforts regarding

ocean acidification; and

encouraged SPREP to continue to work

to develop the PPOA project into a full

regional programme of work through

support from the GCF and other donors.


the progress of work being undertaken as

part of the Strategic Program for Climate

Resilience; Pilot Program for Climate

Resilience - Pacific Regional Track (SPCR-

PR) components and sought the

Meeting's support to ensure that

mainstreaming work is further progressed

in other countries.

201. Noting that the SPCR-PR components

implemented by SPREP and administered

by Asia Development Bank ends on 1

June, 2017, the Secretariat invited

direction from Members on the Regional

Technical Support Mechanism (RTSM) and

how it could best continue to provide

support to Members into the future.

202. Samoa acknowledged the support

through the RTSM but expressed concern

about technical difficulties with the online

submission of proposals. The Secretariat

apologised for the technical problem and

advised the Meeting that it would

endeavour to resolve the issue.

29

203. New Zealand thanked the Secretariat on

the update and welcomed the

mainstreaming approaches used. New

Zealand further expressed interest in

hearing from countries that are part of

the RTSM on the usefulness of the

mechanism to meet country needs. The

Secretariat noted that Federated States of

Micronesia was the only RTSM-

participating Member present and

therefore agreed to prepare a report on

the usefulness of RTSM and circulate it to

Members.

The Meeting:

noted the progress made under the

SPCR-PR track;

directed the Secretariat to ensure that

the mainstreaming tools and approach

developed under the SPCR-PR are

built into the suite of SPREP technical

services to assist its members address

CCA and associated DRR;

invited direction from the Meeting on

the future of the RTSM when the

SPCR-PR program ends on 1 June,

2017; and

requested the Secretariat to provide

the report on the usefulness of the

mainstreaming tools and the RTSM by

the end of October 2016.


the Waste Management and Pollution

Control Division's work programme

activities for 2017 in the areas of solid

waste management support, pollution

management support and hazardous

waste management support.

205. Niue, Tonga and Federated States of

Micronesia acknowledged the ongoing

support provided by the Waste

Management and Pollution Control

Division.

206. Niue expressed particular appreciation for

the efforts of the European Union-funded

and SPREP-administered PacWaste

project. Niue further acknowledged the

assistance provided by Australia and New

Zealand for the waste recovery facility.

207. Tonga and Niue requested SPREP support

with the development of national waste

management strategies and plans. The

Secretariat noted these requests.

208. New Caledonia noted the fruitful

relationship that the Waste Management

and Pollution Control Division has

established with the INTEGRE project and

commented that New Caledonia looks

forward to working closely with the

Division through the forthcoming EDF 11

funded projects. New Caledonia

welcomed the transversal work carried

out alongside other divisions and

partners. It confirmed that private and

public stakeholders in New Caledonia are

prepared to share practical tools and

experience in terms of waste

management and pollution control.


Caledonia about the SPREP/SPC proposal

for a Maritime Technical Centre, the

Secretariat advised that the proposal

seeks to explore low carbon

transportation options in the Pacific

region.

The Meeting:


the SPREP Waste Management and

Pollution Control Division.

30


the successful outcomes of the inaugural

Clean Pacific Roundtable and the 2016

Clean Pacific Roundtable Outcomes

Statement.

211. Federated States of Micronesia noted its

participation in the Clean Pacific

Roundtable and indicated its support of

the Outcomes Statement.

212. Kiribati thanked the Secretariat and

acknowledged the funding provided to

the Clean Pacific Roundtable by Japan

International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

and the European Union.

213. New Caledonia offered its apologies for

not being present at the Clean Pacific

Roundtable. The Secretariat thanked New

Caledonia and accepted its apologies.

The Meeting:

noted the successful outcomes of the

inaugural Clean Pacific Roundtable;

commended the financial support

provided by Japan International

Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the

European Union towards the inaugural

Clean Pacific Roundtable;

noted with appreciation the 2016

Clean Pacific Roundtable Outcomes

Statement; and

endorsed the proposal for the Clean

Pacific Roundtable to be held every

two years, under the direction of a

Cleaner Pacific Steering Committee.

214. The Secretariat provided a detailed

update with recommendations, by way of

a Working Paper, on its recent research

and analysis on plastic ingestion by

marine fish.

215. France and Australia welcomed the action

on marine plastics and thanked the

Secretariat for its presentation.

216. France noted that this issue has great

significance to the Pacific region. France

informed the Meeting that it has adopted

a law banning plastic bags and distributed

to Members the Statement of intent of

the third Ocean Conference in

Washington.

217. Australia noted that marine debris is a

global problem, and that while different

nations have differing capacities, smaller

countries could benefit from observing

and learning from the solutions of others.

Australia reported that it is currently

updating its Plastics Threat Abatement

Plan for Marine Life which may have a

useful approach for countries to use.

Australia also noted that it is working with

Australian states, territories and industry

to phase out the use of micro-plastics in

care products by 2018.

218. United Kingdom informed the Meeting of

its legislation to ban micro-beads in

cosmetics and noted that United

Kingdom has introduced a plastic bag

charge which has resulted in an 80%

reduction in plastic bag use.

31

The Meeting:

noted the progress of the analysis of

plastics ingestion by fish in the South

Pacific. The report will be made

available at the end of 2016 upon

completion of all sample analysis from

Samoa, French Polynesia and Easter

Island;

noted the progress on raising the

issue and coordination with Regional

Fisheries Management Organisations

(RFMOs) in the region to address

pollution violations from distant water

fishing nations (DWFNs);

work with SPREP to encourage the

relevant member country departments

to support the inclusion of fishing

vessels into the text of the

Memorandum of Understanding on

Port State Control in the Asia-Pacific

Region (Tokyo MOU) and urged for

ratification and improved

implementation of key international

instruments on fishing vessel safety,

including the 2012 Cape Town

Agreement, STCW-F, and the Work in

Fishing Convention (No. 188);

supported the ongoing modelling,

monitoring and investigation of fates

and effects of marine debris to identify

sources of both local accumulation

points and far-field dispersal pathways

of marine debris from potentially

significant source points including

fishing vessels;

endorsed the Secretariats efforts

establish itself as the regional node for

marine litter to investigate further

marine debris impacts, and monitoring

of micro plastic ingestion in most

common fish species stomachs and

commercial fish species for persistent

organic pollutants; and

endorsed and supported the

development of a Marine Debris and

Plastics Action Plan to implement

marine debris management practices,

enhance community based removal

programmes and implementation of

the Pacific Regional Port Reception

Facilities Plan.


recent activities related to disaster waste

management and sought the Meeting's

endorsement for the establishment of a

Regional Coordinating Mechanism on

Disaster Waste Management in

collaboration with relevant stakeholders,

that incorporates the principles of the

Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk

Reduction, and facilitates the provision of

timely technical and financial assistance

for disaster waste management to

affected SPREP Member countries and

territories.

220. Samoa thanked the Secretariat for the

report and acknowledged its support for

the Regional Disaster Waste Management

Guidelines. In response to a question

from Samoa, the Secretariat advised that

disaster waste management is covered

under Goals 1 and 2 of the FRDP.

The Meeting:

noted the development of the

Regional Disaster Waste Management

Guidelines to be linked to the regional

context through the Framework for

Resilient Development in the Pacific

(FRDP); and

endorsed the development of a

Regional Coordinating Mechanism on

Disaster Waste Management by the

Clean Pacific RT established Disaster

32

Waste Management Working Group

(DWM-WG), consistent with

established principles of CROP

harmonisation.

221. The Secretariat presented to the Meeting

on asbestos in the Pacific region, noting

that asbestos is widespread in seven

Pacific island countries, that asbestos

materials are being reused and resold in

at least five locations and that 'new

asbestos’ materials are being sold at retail

outlets in at least two locations. Detailed

information on these findings is outlined

in the PacWaste publication, circulated to

all delegates, called The State of Asbestos

in the Pacific.

222. The Secretariat invited the Meeting to

discuss these findings and to consider

endorsing a Pacific-wide ban on asbestos

imports and the resale/reuse of existing

asbestos materials.

223. Australia, Nauru, France, New Zealand,

Kiribati and Federated States of

Micronesia expressed strong support for a

Pacific-wide ban of asbestos.

224. Samoa, Tonga and Cook Islands voiced

concern about the resources required to

implement an asbestos ban. Cook Islands

and Tonga stated that they would

welcome a ban on asbestos in the future

but that they could not currently support

the recommendation to endorse a Pacific-

wide ban on asbestos due to resourcing

and capacity concerns.

225. Samoa queried what the implications of

such a ban would be on World Trade

Organization (WTO) membership.

226. New Zealand noted that its legislation to

ban the manufacturing and importation

of asbestos was approved recently and

offered to share the relevant text and its

analyses with Pacific island Members.

New Zealand further noted that it is

member of the WTO and could also

provide advice in this area. Australia also

offered to share information on this topic.

227. Australia further advised the Meeting of

an upcoming conference convened by its

Asbestos Safety Eradication Agency to

take place in Adelaide in November

through which information would be

shared on communication and best

practice in dealing with the challenges

associated with asbestos. The Secretariat

thanked Australia for this information and

noted that it would be attending the

conference.

228. United States noted that the manufacture,

import and export of asbestos products,

while regulated, is still legal in the United

States, and that until such a time as it

changes that policy via its own internal

procedures, it cannot join in a pacific-

wide asbestos ban. United States noted

the environmental and health concerns of

Members and suggested that the

recommendation should seek to provide

Secretariat support to members for

addressing those concerns. It also

suggested the recommendation, be

changed from 'endorse' to 'consider,’

particularly in light of concerns voiced by

Members on WTO implications and the

need to more fully consider the broad

policy implications of a ban.

229. In acknowledgement of concerns voiced

by some Members around a proposed

33

Pacific-wide asbestos ban, the Meeting

endorsed a re-worded recommendation.

The Meeting:

noted The State of the Asbestos in the

Pacific synthesis report produced

under the PacWaste project which

summarises the findings of the

project's Regional Asbestos Baseline

Survey;

welcomed the outcomes of the Clean

Pacific Roundtable;

noted Pacific island Members' interest

in banning asbestos imports in the

context of a healthy and clean Pacific;

and

directed the Secretariat to provide

advice to members on the implications

and mechanisms of managing issues

around asbestos.


the formulation, outline and objectives of

the Japan International Cooperation

Agency (JICA) funded Japanese Technical

Cooperation Project for Promotion of

Regional Initiative on Solid Waste

Management in Pacific Island Countries

Phase II (J-PRISM II).

231. Kiribati noted that while it is not part of J-

PRISM Phase II, it is pleased to be still

participating in the regional training

component and thanks JICA for this

opportunity.

The Meeting:

noted the outline and objectives of J-

PRISM II both regionally and in

individual Pacific island countries;

acknowledged the opportunities

presented by J-PRISM II to develop

individual and institutional capacity for

the improvement of solid waste

management in the Pacific region; and

encouraged other development

partners to collaborate with J-PRISM II

through SPREP.


the Environmental Monitoring and

Governance Division's work programme

activities for 2017 in the areas of enabling

frameworks, strengthening environmental

legislation, mainstreaming, building

capacity and monitoring and reporting.

The Meeting:


the SPREP Environmental Monitoring

and Governance Division.

233. The Secretariat provided an update on

SPREP’s strategic environmental

assessment (SEA) work and sought

endorsement from the Meeting of SEA

awareness-raising and capacity-building

for SPREP Members.

234. Kiribati acknowledged the Secretariat’s

effort in this work and welcomed the

proposed assistance, noting that it will

also serve to raise awareness and

significantly build capacity at the national

level.

235. New Caledonia acknowledged the

usefulness of the division’s work,

particularly their methodological guides,

34

such as the one on Environmental Impact

Assessments. As part of the Secretariat’s

cost recovery policy, New Caledonia

encouraged the Secretariat to include a

budget line in each project that would be

dedicated to translating technical

documents into French, to ensure that

this cost is not charged to the operational

budget.

236. Niue advised the meeting that the recent

EIA training greatly assisted in its

preparation of official documents that

went through the Government process for

endorsement.

The Meeting:

endorsed SEA awareness-raising and

capacity-building for Member

countries, through inclusion of an SEA

module in the regional EIA Training

Manual and through SEA-focused

workshops.


the progress of work in Biodiversity

Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ)

negotiations and sought endorsement

from Members of SPREP’s role in the

development of an International Legally

Binding Instrument under the United

Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

on the Conservation and Sustainable Use

of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas

Beyond National Jurisdiction.

238. Nauru expressed its appreciation to the

Secretariat for building capacity and

technical understanding in the important

area of BBNJ.

239. Australia echoed the comments from

Nauru about the importance of this work

and thanked the Environmental

Monitoring and Governance Division for

its report. Australia highlighted its active

engagement in the area of BBNJ and

acknowledged the support of the

Secretariat and other regional agencies.

240. United States noted SPREP does not have

a formal role in the BBNJ Preparatory

Committee process currently ongoing in

the UN. United States further noted

SPREP’s support of the P-SIDS is technical

in nature, in collaboration with other

regional agencies and partners, and

requested SPREP keep Members

informed.

241. The Secretariat thanked the Meeting for

its comments.

The Meeting:

welcomed SPREP's role providing

technical assistance to Members in the

BBNJ process;

noted with appreciation SPREP's

continued technical support of Pacific

island Members in collaboration with

other regional agencies and partners,

in particular the Office of the Pacific

Ocean Commissioner, to keep

Members informed; and

encouraged more active engagement

of Members in the BBNJ process.


environmental monitoring data support

services provided by SPREP to Members

and sought endorsement for continued

environmental monitoring data support

services.

35

The Meeting:

noted the environmental data

management services provided to

Members through the various

platforms noted above;

endorsed SPREP's efforts to continue

working with Members to collate,

store and manage environmental data;

and

undertook to facilitate, through

appropriate data-sharing agreements,

access to data in order to determine

baseline information and to allow for

updating of currently held data.

243. The Secretariat presented its proposed

annual Work Programme and Budget for

2017.

244. New Zealand stated that the forward

budget projections did look promising,

but queried the overall fiscal situation of

SPREP going into 2017, and the balance

at end 2017. The Secretariat responded

that the overall budget deficit at the start

of 2017 is not certain at this point in time,

but that the actual expenditures projected

against budget will be brought up to date

in coming weeks. It was noted that

income is excluded from the budget if not

fully guaranteed.

245. On the issue of reserves, New Zealand

queried whether the 5% voluntary

increase in contributions was now being

allocated to reserves or whether it was

being used to offset the deficit. The

Secretariat clarified that reserves have

never been included in the budgetary

consideration as they are built up over

time, noting the resolution from the 26SM

to use the voluntary contributions

towards the reserve. However, as these

have been received in different

timeframes, the Secretariat has awaited

inclusion of the reserve until there is

greater confidence in the amounts

received.

246. With regard to arrangements with

European Union, New Zealand queried

whether SPREP would be receiving a 7%

management fee instead of 12%, and if so

what would be the impact on programme

support. The Secretariat noted that there

is a common position of CROP, and that

this position will be negotiated as a

common approach to in order to ensure

that a fair fee is received for undertaking

work.

247. New Zealand noted the opportunity to

ensure that the strategic plan is properly

resourced, and not to rely on funding

opportunities alone. New Zealand further

suggested that this requires a degree of

selectivity in deciding on funding

opportunities. The Secretariat agreed that

the strategy needs to be resourced and

funding aligned with the strategy. In

discussions with the Government of

Sweden, it became clear that SPREP has

been under their consideration as a

partner for some time. The Secretariat

noted that the Government of Sweden

has been given an appreciation for the

work of SPREP and the new Strategic Plan,

so that this new partnership is based on

priorities identified by Members. The

Secretariat will continue to ensure that

new and existing partners add value to

the strategic plan.

36

248. Australia queried certain terms used in

the budget, in particular unsecured

income which has a substantial increase,

as well as the term other income. The

Secretariat clarified that the term

unsecured income represents what would

be injected into core income, and relates

to programme management fees that are

expected to be received from new

projects such as that from Sweden.

Australia encouraged the use of footnotes

in future budget papers in order to better

explain terms used.

249. New Caledonia noted that while there is a

decrease in the budget from 2015, it does

not consider this as a major problem

given that it is a pivotal year especially

with the adoption of the new strategic

plan. There are reasons for optimism

given the forecast contained in the

pipeline of projects. New Caledonia also

noted the increase in workload for the

Secretariat, and noted that SPREP needs

to continue to build its capacity to be

reactive and continue to do real work on

the ground via tangible results.

250. Australia confirmed that it looks forward

to signing a new multi-year agreement

now that strategic plan is adopted.

251. New Caledonia noted that it had not had

sufficient time to consult fully on the

budget, and will revert to the Secretariat

in due course to indicate any topics or

issues that are of particular interest.

252. Niue acknowledged the efforts of the

Secretariat, and noted that there would

be opportunities for the Secretariat under

the GEF and GCF to support projects for

Members.

253. The Secretariat noted that such an effort

is underway as part of the Smaller Island

States Strategy for developing a joint

proposal for GCF together with PIFS, and

indicated readiness to work with

Members for projects for the unallocated

GEF funds.

The Meeting:

considered and approved the

proposed Work Programme and

Budget of USD 15,164,886.

254. Samoa presented a proposal for the

establishment of a Regional Hydrology

Programme within SPREP, and invited the

Meeting to discuss and endorse the

proposal.

255. New Caledonia noted its strong interest in

hydrology matters and informed the

Meeting that a partnership in this regard

is under construction with French

Polynesia. New Caledonia made reference

to a recent meeting with the WMO where

it was proposed that a new project be

established, through which the SPC-

developed HYCOS programme can be

revived. New Caledonia stated that it is in

favour of implementing a regional

hydrology Programme and would wish to

participate in it. It stated that it would

favour a broader recommendation

requesting regional organisations and

WMO to implement the

recommendations of the PMC3, rather

37

than only request institutional support

within SPREP.

256. Samoa explained that the proposal

concept for a Regional Hydrology

Programme arose from the Nuku’alofa

Declaration. Samoa further commented

that the SPC water and sanitation

programme mainly focuses on water

management but is not very active in the

area of hydrology.

257. The observer from SPC thanked Samoa

for raising the issue and acknowledged

that there is a need for further attention

in this area. Samoa emphasised the

excellent work of HYCOS but raised the

issue of sustainability and continuity.

258. New Zealand noted the strong regional

interest in hydrology and the need for the

gap in this area to be acknowledged.

259. Niue and Tokelau supported the initiative

proposed by Samoa. Tokelau further

expressed appreciation and gratitude to

the Government of Samoa for assisting

with training Meteorological Services

staff.

The Meeting:

endorsed the request from Samoa for

support for a hydrological services

program;

recommended that SPREP, SPC and

WMO discuss the implementation of

the PMC3 recommendation, and work

out the details for ensuring that there

is a clear demarcation of mandates;

and

commended SPREP, SPC and WMO

for their partnership, and requested

them to continue to strengthen their

collaboration and partnership in cross

cutting issues such as meteorological

and hydrological services.

260. The Director General provided a verbal

briefing on the outcomes of the CROP

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Meetings in

2016, noting that these meetings are a

valuable mechanism for sharing

information and developing ways of

working together.

261. In response to a query from New Zealand,

the Director General explained that a

consolidated written report would be

made available to Members.

262. Tonga thanked the Director General for

the verbal report and noted Tonga's

appreciation of the CROP approach to

support it received during COP 21.

263. Samoa also expressed its appreciation of

the regional cooperation approach taken

by CROP agencies, especially in assisting

with meteorological services and climate

change efforts, and thanked the Director

General for the verbal report.

The Meeting:

noted the verbal report of the

Director General on CROP CEOs

meetings in 2016.

38

264. The 27SM was attended by a range of

observers which included CROP agencies,

NGOs and other conservation and

environment groups. Observers made

statements outlining their areas of work

and potential partnerships with Members

and the Secretariat. The list of observers

and the observer statements are attached

as Annex V.

265. There was no other business.

266. The High Level Ministerial Segment of the

27SM was held on 22 September, 2016

with Ministers and other High Level

officials attending. The Meeting was

chaired by The Hon. Billy Talagi, Niue's

Minister for Natural Resources.

267. The High Level Ministerial Segment

commenced with a musical performance

from students of Niue Primary School and

continued with an opening prayer by

Reverend Navy Salatielu.

268. Opening remarks from The Hon. Billy

Talagi are attached as Annex VI.

269. Ministers and High Level delegates

discussed the SDGs, the challenges of

implementation for the Pacific, and how

best to contextualise global issues into a

regional and national context for a

resilient Pacific.

270. Presentations were made by: The Hon.

Siaosi Sovaleni, Deputy Prime Minister,

Government of Tonga; The Hon. Taefu

Lemi Taefu, Associate Minister, Ministry of

Natural Resources and Environment,

Government of Samoa; The Hon. Vodrick

Detsiogo, Assistant Minister, Government

of Nauru; and HE Jackie Frizelle, New

Zealand High Commissioner, Samoa.


discussed the challenges and

opportunities for the Pacific post COP 21

and progress towards implementation of

the Paris Agreement.

272. Presentations were made by: Mr Jean-Luc

Faure-Tournaire, Représentant permanent

adjoint de la France auprès de la CPS et

du PROE; and The Hon. Wilbur Heine,

Minister of Education, Government of

Republic of the Marshall Islands.


discussed the UN Oceans Conference

which will be held in New York in June

2017 and co-hosted by Fiji. Delegates

noted that the Conference provides an

opportunity to articulate key ocean issues

for the Pacific including the Blue

Economy, Marine Protected Areas,

Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions

(BBNJ), and Conservation for Sustainable

Livelihoods.

39

274. Presentations were made by: The Hon.

Lorna Eden, Assistant Minister, Local

Government, Housing and Environment,

Government of Fiji; The Hon. Tebao

Awerika, Minister, Ministry of

Environment, Lands and Agricultural

Development, Government of Kiribati; The

Hon. Kiriau Turepu, Minister, National

Environment Services, Government of

Cook Islands; and Ms Deb Callister,

Assistant Secretary, Marine and

International Heritage Branch, Australian

Department of the Environment and

Energy.


agreed to a communiqué, which is

attached as Annex VII.

276. The Meeting:

agreed that the Twenty-eighth

SPREP Meeting would be held in

Samoa in 2017 at a date to be

advised by the Secretariat.

277. The Meeting:

adopted the recommendations and

decisions from the Report of the

Twenty-seventh SPREP Meeting.

278. The Meeting was formally closed at

5.20pm on 22 September, 2016.

--------------------------------------------------

40

AMERICAN SAMOA

Mr. Fa’amao Asalele

Deputy Director

American Samoa Environmental

Protection Agency (AS-EPA)

PO Box PPA

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa 96799


Mr. Neil Pilcher

AS-EPA’s SPREP Coordinator

AS-EPA

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa 96799


AUSTRALIA

Ms. Deb Callister

Assistant Secretary

Marine and International Heritage Branch

Australian Department of the Environment and

Energy


Robert Christie

Head of Delegation

Assistant Secretary

Pacific Aid Effectiveness and Advice Branch

Pacific Division

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and

Trade


Ms. Sharon Lane

Assistant Director

Pacific and Coral Triangle Section

Marine and International Heritage

Australian Department of the Environment and

Energy


Ms Rhona McPhee

Assistant Director

Fisheries and Environment Section

Pacific Division

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and

Trade


COOK ISLANDS

Hon. Kiriau Turepu

Minister

National Environment Services

Government of Cook Islands

Cook Islands


Mr. Joseph Brider

Director

National Environment Service (NES)

Rarotonga

Cook Islands

P: (682) 21 256


FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA

Mr. Wilson Waguk

Deputy Chief of Mission

FSM Embassy in Fiji

Suva


FIJI

Hon. Lorna Eden

Assistant Minister

Local Government, Housing and Environment

Government of Fiji

Suva, Fiji


FRANCE

M. Jean-Luc Faure-Tournaire

Representant Permanent Adjoint de la France

Aupres de la Communaute du Pacifique et du PROE

Délégation Française auprès de la CPS

Nouméa / Nouvelle-Calédonie

T: (687) 261603













41

KIRIBATI

Hon. Tebao Awerika

Minister

Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural

Development

Government of Kiribati

P.O. Box 234

Bikenibeu, Tarawa

Kiribati


Mr. Taulehia Pulefou

Senior Environment Officer

Chemical and Waste Management unit

Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural

Development

PO Box 234

Bikenibeu, Tarawa

Kiribati

P: (686) 28647/28211/28507

F: (686) 28334


MARSHALL ISLANDS

Hon. Wilbur Heine

Minister of Education

Government of Marshall Islands

PO Box 2

Majuro

Marshall Islands 96960


NAURU

Hon. Vodrick Detsiogo

Assistant Minister

Government of Nauru

Government Offices

Yaren District

Republic of Nauru


[email protected]

Ms Mavis. Depaune

Acting Secretary

Dept of Commerce, Industry and Environment

Government Offices

Yaren, Nauru

T: +674 557 3133 ext 303

M: +674 557 3369

E: [email protected] mon

[email protected]

NEW CALEDONIA

Ms Anne-Claire Goarant

Regional Cooperation & External Affairs

Government of New Caledonia

14 rue G Clemenceau

98800 Noumea Cedex

New Caledonia

T: +687 75 28 59


NEW ZEALAND

H.E. Jackie Frizelle

High Commissioner

New Zealand High Commission

Beach Road, APIA

P: (685) 21 711

F: (685) 20 086/30765


Ms Lou Sanson

Director-General

Department of Conservation

59 Boulcott Street

PO Box 10420

Wellington, New Zealand


Ms Andrea Stewart

Development Manager Environment

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

New Zealand


Ms Huia Lloyd

Pou Tairangahau

Department of Conservation

New Zealand


Mr Doug Ramsay

Manager Pacific Rim, National Institute of Water

and Atmospheric Research (NIWA)

New Zealand


NIUE

Hon. Billy Talagi

Minister for Natural Resources

Premier's Office

Government of Niue

Alofi, Niue

T: (683) 4200







tel:%2B674%20444%203133

tel:%2B674%20557%203369


mailto:mon%[email protected]

mailto:mon%[email protected]








42

Dr Josie M. Tamate

Director General

Ministry of Natural Resources

Government of Niue

Niue Public Service Building

Alofi, Niue


Mr Richard Hipa

Secretary to Government

Ministry of External Affairs

Government of Niue


Mr Sauni Tongatule

Director

Department of Environment

Ministry of Natural Resources

Government of Niue


Ms Natasha Toeono-Tohovaka

Senior Project Manager - DAFF

Fonuakula

Niue Island


SAMOA

Hon. Taefu Lemi Taefu

Associate Minister

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

Government of Samoa

Apia, Samoa


Mr. Suluimalo Amataga Penaia

Chief Executive Officer


Private Mail Bag

APIA, Samoa

P: (685) 67200

F: (685) 23176


Mr. Mulipola Ausetalia Titimaea

Assistant Chief Executive Officer - Meteorology


Private Mail Box

Samoa


Ms. Tuiolo Schuster

Assistant Chief Executive Officer – Corporate

Services


Private Mail Box

Samoa


Ms. Filomena Nelson

Assistant Chief Executive Officer - DMO


Private Mail Box

Samoa


TOKELAU

Ms Luisa Naseri-Sale

Acting Manager, Environment Division

EDRNE

Tokelau

T: +685-20822


TONGA

Honorable Siaosi Sovaleni

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for

Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster

Management, Environment, Climate Change and

Communications (MEIDECC)

Government of Tonga

Nukualofa, Tonga


Mr. Paula Ma’u

Chief Executive Officer

MEIDECC

Government of Tonga

Nukualofa, Tonga


Ms. Mafile’o Masi,

Chief Environmentalist

MEIDECC

Government of Tonga

Nukualofa, Tonga


UNITED KINGDOM

Mr Daniel Lund

Head of Climate Change and Regional Affairs

Office of the High Commissioner

PO Box 1355

Suva, Fiji
















43

Mr David Carlin

Divisional Director of UK CEFAS

British High Commission

Office of the High Commissioner

PO Box 1355

Suva, Fiji


UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Ms. Candy Green

Head of Delegation

Deputy Chief of Mission

U.S. Embassy Wellington, New Zealand


Mr. Craig Halbmaier

Environment, Science, Technology and Health

Officer

U.S. Consulate General Auckland, New Zealand


Mr. Mark R. Mineo

Regional Environmental Officer

U.S. Embassy Suva, Fiji


Mr. Min Kang

International Relations Officer

U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Oceans and

International Environmental and Scientific Affairs


Dr. Steve Piotrowicz

Oceanographer

National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration, Climate Program Office


Ms. Sandeep K. Singh

Regional Environment and Climate Change Policy

Specialist

Regional Environment Office for the Pacific

U.S. Department of State

U.S. Embassy, Suva, Fiji

Tel: 679 331-4466 x 8210/

Fax: 679 330-2998/


CROP AGENCIES

PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM SECREATARIAT

Ms Cristelle Pratt

Deputy Secretary General

Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat

Private Mail Bag

Suva, Fiji Islands

P: +679 331 2600


SECREATARIAT OF THE PACIFIC COMMUNITY

Ms. Sylvie Goyet

Director of Climate Change and Environmental

Sustainability Programme

SPC, Noumea

New Caledonia


THE UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC

Dr. Morgan Wairiu

Deputy Director, Pacific Centre for

Environment and Sustainable Development

(PaCE-SD)


PARTNER ORGANISATIONS

CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL

Ms. Sue Taei

Director

Conservation International Islands


Ms. Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson

OHI Manager Pacific

Conservation International Islands

Vailima, Apia Samoa

P: (685) 21593














44

COMMONWEALTH SCIENTIFIC AND

INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH ORGANISATION

(CSIRO)

Dr Piers Dunstan

Project leader and Theme leader (CSIRO)

GPO Box 1538 Hobart, TAS, 7001

Australia

Phone: +61 3 62325382


FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANISATION

Mr. Keneti Faulalo

Regional Manager

Pesticides Risk Reduction and Biodiversity

Projects


GIZ

Dr Jan H. Steffen

Project Director

Marine and Coastal

Biodiversity Management in Pacific Island

Countries MACBIO

76 Gordon Street, Level 2

PO Box 14041

Suva, Fiji

T: 679 3305 866


GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY

Ms. Jaana Dielenberg

Griffith University


JAPAN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

AGENCY (JICA)

Mr. Kunihiro Yamauchi

Director General

Global Environment Department

JICA

P: ＋81-3-5226-9543


Ms. Mizuki Hosokai

Global Environment Department

JICA

P: ＋81-3-5226-9543


Mr. Faafetai Sagapolutele

Assistant Chief Advisor, J-PRISM, JICA

J-PRISM (Japanese Technical Cooperation

Project for Promotion of Regional Initiative on

Solid Waste Management in Pacific Island

Countries)

C/O – SPREP

Apia Samoa

P: Tel: +685-21929 (ext.253)


THE NATURE CONSERVANCY

Michael Looker

Director

The Nature Conservancy (NZ and Pacific)


THE PEW CHARITABLE TRUSTS

Ms Joan Yang

Senior Officer

The Pew Charitable Trusts

901 E Street NW

Washington, DC 20004

P: 01 202 540 6526


Ms Jennifer Sawada

Officer, Global Sharks Conservation for The Pew

Charitable Trusts

The Pew Charitable Trusts

901 E Street NW

Washington, DC 20004

P: 01 202 540 6366


UNEP

Ms. Isabelle Louis

Regional Director

Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific

Mr. Sefanaia Nawadra

Head

UNEP Pacific Office

SPREP Headquarters

P.O Box 240

Apia, Samoa

Tel: +685-21929 Ect.362

Email: [email protected]

http://www.nespmarine.edu.au/commonwealth-scientific-and-industrial-research-organisation-csiro





TEL:＋81-3-5226-9543


TEL:＋81-3-5226-9543







45

VICTORIA UNIVERSITY

Mr Dan Sinclair

School of Geography, Environment and Earth

Sciences

Faculty of Science

Victoria University of Science

PO Box 600

Wellington 6140

New Zealand

Ms Nicole Phillips

School of Geography, Environment and Earth

Sciences

Faculty of Science

Victoria University of Science

PO Box 600

Wellington 6140

New Zealand

Tel: +64 4 463 4719

NGOs

Ms Coral Pasisi

Tofia Niue


Ms Fiafia Rex

Oma Tafua


INTERPRETATION TEAM

Mr. Alex Fairie

Conference and Translation Coordinator

On Call Interpreters


Mr. William Raye

Technician



Mr. Marc Orlando

Interpreter



Mr. Philippe Tanguy

Interpreter



SPREP SECRETARIAT

PO Box 240

Apia, Samoa

Ph: 685 21919

Fax: 685 20231

Email: [email protected]

Mr. Kosi Latu - [email protected]

Director General

Mr. Roger Cornforth - [email protected]

Deputy Director General

Mr. Stuart Chape - [email protected]

Director – BEM

Dr. Netatua Pelesikoti - [email protected]

Director – CCD

Mr. Clark Peteru - [email protected]

Acting Director – EMG

Ms. Simeamativa L. Vaai - [email protected]

HR Adviser

Ms. Petra Chan Tung - [email protected]

Finance and Admin. Adviser

Mr. Stewart Williams - [email protected]

Dr. Frank Griffin - [email protected]

Ms. Ma Bella Guinto - [email protected]

Ms. Amber Carvan - [email protected]

Mr. Espen Ronneberg - [email protected]

Dr. Tommy Moore - [email protected]

Mr. Meapelo Maiai - [email protected]

Mr. David Moverley - [email protected]

Mr. Michael Donoghue - [email protected]

Mr. Warren Lee Long - [email protected]

Ms. Easter Galuvao - [email protected]

Mr. Michinobu Aoyama - [email protected]

Ms. Apiseta Eti - [email protected]

Ms. Maraea Pogi - [email protected]

Mr. Ainsof So’o - [email protected]

Mr Kevin Floyd (Consultant)





























46

Rev Vili Kamupala Viviani

Hon Toke Talagi – Premier of Niue

Hon Ministers, Excellencies, distinguished

delegates to the SPREP meeting,

CROP representatives, Partners, SPREP staff,

ladies and gentlemen.

It is a great honour for me to welcome all the

SPREP delegates and partners to this 27th

SPREP Meeting which is also my first SM as

Director General of SPREP. Welcome to Niue –

and as Niueans say welcome to the ROCK.

But let me firstly convey my sincere gratitude

to the Premier of Niue, the Government and

people of Niue for hosting the SPREP meeting.

Thank you for your generosity and hospitality.

We appreciate very much the hard work and

effort that has gone into ensuring that the 27th

SM takes place in Niue. This is the first time

that Niue has hosted the SM. Niue is the

perfect location and venue for the SPREP

Meeting. As many of you are aware, this year

and next year have been designated by SPREP

as the “Year of the Whale”, and several of you

since arrival this week have been fortunate

enough to have seen the whales here in Niue.

Over the past several weeks, I have attended

with Pacific Leaders various international and

regional meetings which have focussed on

some of the key issues which are on the

agenda for this SPREP Meeting this week. At

the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2

weeks ago in Honolulu, our Pacific leaders

were active in their engagement on a range of

issues including oceans, climate change, and

biodiversity. It was evident in Honolulu that

the Pacific continues to punch above its weight

by providing strong leadership on ocean

conservation. Many of the SPREP Pacific island

members such as Kiribati with the Phoenix

Islands Marine Protected Areas, Cook Islands,

and New Caledonia have some of the largest

MPAs not just in the Pacific but in the world.

The State of Hawaii followed in the example of

the Micronesian Challenge by promulgating

the Aloha Challenge. This was followed up by

President Obama’s announcement 2 weeks

ago on the extension of the

Papahanamokuakea marine sanctuary – which

at 1.5 million square kiometres is the worlds’

largest. Two days ago, another SPREP

Member, the UK announced the Pitcairn

marine protected area – which at 830,000km2

now the world’s second largest marine

sanctuary. What was heartening for me in

Honolulu was the fact that Pacific Leaders

expressed a good understanding of what the

challenges and threats were in relation ocean

conservation and management. However,

declaration of large marine protected

areas/sanctuaries is just the first step. After

declaration comes the hard work of ensuring

effective management of these large areas of

ocean by addressing the threats. Many of us

in this meeting, and with other partners, need

to work together to harmonise and leverage

our limited available resources to help develop

capacity in MPA management.

The ocean is also a key determinant of climate.

It absorbs 90% of atmospheric heat and 25%

of anthropogenic CO2. This is causing ocean

acidification which is impacting our coral reefs,

crustaceans and marine life in general. In the

long term this will impact the livelihoods and

food security of coastal communities who

47

depend heavily on marine resources. Whilst

climate change is the most pressing issue for

the Pacific – we need to address it in an

integrated way with ocean and other

ecosystem and sustainable development

related issues.

At the recent Forum Leaders meeting in

Ponphei last week, Leaders stressed the need

for Pacific island countries which had yet to

sign up and ratify the Paris Agreement to do

so as soon as possible. The US again showed

great leadership when it signed together with

China the Paris Agreement during the IUCN

World Conservation Congress. 13 Pacific

island countries have signed and 8 have

ratified the Paris Agreement. There is certainly

a momentum following the signing by US and

China, and whilst globally we are still short of

the number of countries required for the Paris

Agreement to enter into force, there is

optimism that it could enter into force by the

end of the year. In collaboration with key

partners, the SPREP Secretariat has developed

a programme of support to assist Members to

follow up on the Paris Agreement. A High

Level Support Mechanism – a regional

workshop for Ministers and officials will be

held in Apia the week after the SPREP meeting

to prepare Members for COP22 which will be

held in Marrakesh from 18-22 November.

The critical issues of climate change and

oceans together with other priority areas are

addressed in the new draft strategic Plan for

SPREP which will be discussed next week as a

key agenda item of the SM. The draft strategic

plan firmly places climate change as the most

pressing concern and overarching issue for the

region that affects almost every dimension of

society.

An important platform for realising SPREPs

vision on climate change is the Climate

Change Centre which is being developed at

SPREP. The Pacific Climate Change Centre or

the PCCC will be a climate hub for the Pacific.

It will be hosted by SPREP but as your regional

inter-governmental agency, the Centre is a

shared resource for the whole region for

coordinating climate change initiatives and for

innovation of new ideas for programmatic

approaches on adaptation, mitigation and

climate finance matters. The PCCC will be a

conduit and catalyst for strengthening

partnerships on climate change. Partners will

be co-located at the PCCC where experts and

scientists from the region can apply research

and collaborate with SPREP to coordinate the

provision of support services to the region

including capacity building. SPREP is

strategically positioned with the PCCC to offer

the region and SPREP members a platform for

improved coordination of the Framework for

Resilience Development in the Pacific: An

Integrated Approach to Address Climate

Change and Disaster Risk Management (FRDP)

as recently approved by our Leaders on the

10th

September. The PCCC which is being

funded by the Government of Japan in close

collaboration with the Government of Samoa -

will begin construction in April-June 2017 with

completion in 2018.

The draft Strategic plan also underlines the

importance of oceans as a cross-cutting theme

that affects other priority areas. Also at the

centre of the vision of the draft strategic plan

is the concept of resilience – helping

communities to be resilient in the face of

climate change, climate induced disaster and

other environmental changes and threats. In

this respect the new strategic plan also

maintains our commitment to the critical

48

issues of biodiversity and ecosystem

management, waste management and

pollution control, and environmental

governance and monitoring. If we do not

continue to address these priorities the impact

of climate change and disasters will be worse

than predicted, and resilience of communities

- and indeed nations – will be continue to

decrease. Equally, maintaining the health of

our oceans is critically dependent on

improving the management and health of

island ecosystems and communities. Our

future resilience will of course be a product of

our land-based ecosystems and economies as

well as our ocean ecosystems and economies.

For the past 6 years SPREP has been through a

major change management process which has

vastly improved its effectiveness and efficiency

by putting in place the required organisational

systems and processes. This has enabled

SPREP to be accredited to both the Adaptation

Fund and the Green Climate Fund. SPREP is

one of 8 accredited IAs in the Pacific but the

only regional IA. These international funds

provide both challenges and opportunities for

SPREP. To take advantage of the opportunities

that GCF offers, SPREP is building up its

capacity to assist SPREP members to access

climate finance in support of readiness

proposals and/or in development of full

proposals. Whilst there has been

improvement in the way GCF has been trying

to address challenges for countries to access

climate finance, there are clearly still many

challenges. However, we are currently

developing a programmatic and integrated

approach to how we assist our Members in the

delivery of GCF funded projects that will be

focused on SPREP’s strategic priorities, key

strengths and comparative advantage. This will

be done in collaboration with our CROP and

other organisational partners to ensure that

GCF delivery maximises benefits for Members.

In conclusion, the draft strategic plan for

SPREP positions SPREP strategically and

uniquely within its mandate to respond

effectively to the existing, new and emerging

environmental challenges of the region.

Many of these issues and challenges are on

the agenda for discussion by officials to

discuss – and also on the agenda of the

Ministerial segment on Thursday next week. I

look forward to these discussions and to a

successful SM in the next few days.

THANK YOU

49

Deputy Prime Minister of Tonga, Ministers, His

Excellency High Commissioner Ross Ardern,

Director General of SPREP, Meeting Delegates,

SPREP Secretariat Staff, Minister of Natural

Resources Billy Talagi and spouse, local

dignitaries, fakalofa lahi atu.

It is my pleasure to formally welcome you to

Niue. I wish and hope that you will have an

enjoyable yet productive week ahead of you

during your stay on our Rock. Please take

some time out to visit the sites and enjoy the

hospitality of the Niue people.

The theme for the meetings this week is

Resilient Pacific. So, what does it take to be

resilient? Some of you may say, we are already

resilient. But in what sense?

The changing climatic patterns is starting to

challenge our current knowledge and models

developed over the years to help us make

predictions and inform our actions.

Temperatures for the sea record highest levels

for Niue in February this year and its impact

will start to show eventually. There is coral

bleaching, deforestation, erosions, certain

species are endangered, and loss and damage

from cyclones and sea level rising.

Earlier this year, we witness the destruction

and the aftermath left by Category 5 Cyclone

Winston. We also witness the flow of

assistance going to Fiji to help them recover.

Why do we have to wait for a Category 5

cyclone or a tsunami before those assistance,

especially those that have been facilitated

through the various international conventions

and declaration, to become available?

In all good intentions, we have made

international declarations, negotiated, agreed

and ratified conventions to govern our actions

and to give due care for the environment but

somehow those efforts have not really filtered

across in tangible outputs. We have

graduated from Millennium Development

Goals to Sustainable Developments Goals, but

what do we have to show? Yes, there are

funding avenues for us to tap into but why is it

that we can’t access those funds?

I note that the Paris Agreement that was

concluded late last year is gathering

momentum and I congratulate those members

who have signed and even ratified it. Niue

recently completed our internal processes and

we will be signing the Paris Agreement in the

near future. We will be seeking to ratify this

Agreement immediately and urge the

metropolitan members and partners to do so.

The Pacific region and leaders have called for

immediate attention at various meetings on

climate change and the need to keep the

predicted rising temperature at the agreed

level of 1.5 degrees or lower. I echo those calls

because it is not just my responsibility or my

fellow leaders in the Pacific to safeguard the

environment and our livelihoods.

Caring for the environment comes with

responsibilities and challenges. Each and

every one of us are responsible for keeping

our environment as pristine as possible, to

ensure the various ecosystems and biodiversity

are conserved and safeguarded, and to put

50

forth actions to mitigate and adapt against the

continual threat of rising temperatures that will

affect our food systems and our way of life,

our livelihoods. Yet, our actions and our

realities tend to challenge those

responsibilities.

We all have a responsibility to preserve and

conserve our natural resources, and to build

and enhance our resilience. The Pacific has

been vocal in advocating our vulnerabilities to

the world. Let’s start advocating for a more

resilient Pacific and focus our strengths instead

to mitigate and adapt to changing climate

patterns. Palau for example have closed 80%

of its EEZ and essentially becoming an

aquarium for that part of the region.

Niue through its UND/GEF Ridge to Reef

project will look to establish a number of

protected and/or conservations areas on land

and within its EEZ. We are also working with

education institutions and non-profit

organisation on marine spatial planning and

taking the bottom-up approach instead of a

top-down approach because our people and

our communities know their circumstances

best. Niue has also made a commitment in

our Energy Roadmap and reflected in our

INDCs to become 80% Renewable Energy with

financial support or at least 30% if we are to

use our own resources.

The point I would like to make is this: the

Pacific is not sitting idle. We are resilient in

our own make-up but are now required to

enhance our resilience to address the

vulnerabilities caused by sea level rising,

climate change and many others.

I understand that you will be endorsing the

SPREP Strategic Plan at this meeting and will

also be discussing the governance

arrangements as SPREP move from annual

meetings to a biennial process. I also

understand this is the last SPREP meeting to

be hosted outside of Samoa. Whilst I applaud

this decision as a prudent financial measure, I

urge all members to ensure that we continue

to have an effective oversight on our

Secretariat. After all, the Secretariat is there to

serve us and provide technical advice and

assistance so we can continue to strengthen

our resilience against the impact of climate

change and other environment challenges.

I wish you well in your deliberations in the

coming week and declare the 27th

SPREP

Meeting opened. Kia Monuina e fono kua

amanaki ki ai. Fakaue lahi

51

Agenda Item 1: Opening Prayer

Agenda Item 2: Appointment of Chair

and Vice-Chair

Agenda Item 3: Adoption of Agenda and

Working Procedures

Agenda Item 4: Action Taken on Matters

Arising from Twenty-Sixth SPREP

Meeting

Agenda Item 5: 2015 Overview

5.1 Presentation of Annual Report for

2015 and Director General’s

Overview of Progress since the

Twenty-Sixth SPREP Meeting

5.2 Performance Monitoring and

Evaluation Report on the 2015

Annual Work Programme and

Budget

5.3 Audited Annual Accounts for 2015

Agenda Item 6: Institutional Reform and

Strategic Issues

6.1 Strengthening Regional Linkages

update

6.2 Access to Climate Finance -

Adaptation Fund (AF) and Green

Climate Fund (GCF)

6.3 GEF MSP Accreditation Update

6.4 Pacific Climate Change Centre

6.5 Framework for Pacific Regionalism

6.6 Sustainable Development Goals

(SDGs)

6.7 Priorities under the Framework for a

Pacific Oceanscape (FPO)

6.8 SPREP Strategic Plan

6.9 Audit Committee Report

6.10 EDF 11

6.11 FRDP

6.12 Governance arrangements for

Biennial SPREP Meetings

6.13 SPREP and UNEP Partnership

Agenda Item 7: Strategic Financial Issues

7.1 Report on Members’ Contributions

7.2 Sustainable Financing

Agenda Item 8: Corporate Services

8.1 SPREP Director General’s

Performance Assessment – closed

session

8.2 Triennial Review

8.3 Appointment of External Auditors

Agenda Item 9: 2017 Work Programme

and Budget

9.1 Biodiversity and Ecosystem

Management (Overview)

9.1.1 Outcomes of Regional CBD

and CITES Pre-CoP Meetings

9.1.2 Year of the Whale Update

9.1.3 Revision of Marine Species

Action Plans

9.1.4 19th

PIRT Outcomes

9.2 Climate Change - (Overview)

9.2.1 Outcomes of the Finland-

Pacific Reducing Vulnerability

in PICs communities (FINPAC)

9.2.2 Paris Agreement follow-up

and Preparation for COP 22

9.2.3 Pacific Islands Partnership on

Ocean Acidification

9.2.4 Progress and Future of the

PPCR Regional Track:

Mainstreaming and the RTSM

52

9.3 Waste Management and Pollution

Control - (Overview)

9.3.1 Outcomes of the 2016 Clean

Pacific Roundtable

9.3.2 Marine Debris

9.3.3 Disaster Waste Management

9.3.4 Asbestos in the Pacific

9.3.5 Update on the formulation of

J-PRISM Phase II

9.4 Environmental Monitoring &

Governance - (Overview)

9.4.1 Strategic environment

assessment

9.4.2 BBNJ negotiations

9.4.3 Environmental monitoring

data collation support services

9.5 Consideration and Approval of

Proposed Work Programme and

Budget for 2017

Agenda Item 10: Items Proposed by

Members

10.1 Hydrology (Samoa)

Agenda Item 11: Regional Cooperation

11.1 CROP Executives Meeting Report

Agenda Item 12: Statements by Observers

Agenda Item 13: Other Business

Agenda Item 14: High-Level Ministerial

Segment (22nd

September) “A Resilient

Pacific”

14.1 Sustainable Development Goals:

Challenges of implementation for

the Pacific

14.2 Climate Change: Climate Action –

Take urgent action to combat

climate change and its impacts

14.3 Oceans: Life Below Water –

Conserve and sustainably use the

oceans, seas and marine resources

Agenda Item 15: Date and Venue of

Twenty-Eighth SPREP Meeting

Agenda Item 16: Adoption of Report of

the Twenty-Seventh SPREP Meeting

Agenda Item 17: Close

____________________________

53

Pacific Islands Forum (PIFs)

Thank you Chair for this opportunity to make a

few remarks on behalf of the Pacific Islands

Forum Secretariat.

And through you to thank your Government

and the people of Niue, as well as the

Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment

Programme for hosting this meeting.

Framework for Pacific Regionalism

At the 26th

SPREP Meeting, the Forum

Secretariat was given the opportunity to share

the vision of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders

to deepen Pacific regionalism, within the

context of the Framework for Pacific

Regionalism.

The Framework articulates Leaders’

expectations that the regional agenda will

strive for a higher level of ambition, and that

our coordinated and collective regional efforts

will deliver results that make a practical and

positive difference to the lives of Pacific

peoples.

The Framework also represents Leaders’

commitment to inclusivity and transparency in

the development of regional public policy, as

facilitated through various regional meetings

as well as a Specialist Sub-Committee for

Regionalism (SSCR) established by Forum

Leaders in 2014.

SPREP’s active contribution to this process,

both through advice and in response to

Leaders’ 2015 decisions has been very

welcomed, and we thank Director General Kosi

Latu for his leadership in ensuring close

collaboration and cooperation with CROP as-

a-whole in engaging with this overarching

regional Framework.

SPREP provided two submissions to this year’s

SSCR process, relating to implementing the

Paris Agreement and integrated oceans

management – both of these issues were

widely discussed at the 47th

Pacific Islands

Forum Leaders Meeting held in Pohnpei a few

weeks ago.

The priorities determined by Leaders this year

– fisheries, climate change and the adoption of

the Framework for Resilient Development in

the Pacific (FRDP), as well as the two Leaders’

Pohnpei Statements on our Ocean and on

Resilient Development – will require the

collective effort of all our member countries

and territories, regional and international

organisations, the private sector and civil

society if they are to be achieved.

We hope that implementing the initiatives

identified through the Framework will move us

towards a deeper sense of regionalism and the

brighter future that we all strive for, and we

look forward to working closely with SPREP

and other partners in this endeavour.

As the permanent Chair of the Council of

Regional Organisations in the Pacific, the

Forum Secretariat continues to work with our

technical agencies, including SPREP, to support

our member countries.

This includes through various CROP working

groups, regional networks/partnerships and

alliances, and regional meetings at the Official

and Ministerial levels. As well in joint exercises

such as the collaborative review of the CROP

Charter and the initiative on regional

governance and finance.

We thank SPREP for the constructive

engagement in these important processes and

initiatives and welcome this opportunity to

speak to the SPREP Governing Council. We will

54

continue to support member-led efforts to

strengthen cohesion between governing

councils across the CROP family.

The Forum Secretariat intersects closely with

SPREP in the areas of climate finance and also

on ocean-related matters through the current

capacity of our Secretary General as the Pacific

Ocean Commissioner.

Last week, Forum Leaders called for regional

coordination and support to member

countries in the lead up to the High-Level UN

Conference on the Implementation of SDG 14

on Oceans and Seas, as well as the ongoing

international negotiations on biodiversity in

areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ).

This Forum Secretariat and the Office of the

Pacific Ocean Commissioner looks forward to

working closely with SPREP and other key

partners in these important global processes in

the coming year.

Recognising Smaller Island Sates

Recently, SIS* Leaders endorsed an SIS

Regional Strategy 2016-2020 as the strategic

platform to ensure greater influence and

presence by the SIS in shaping the regional

policy agenda and direction.

(*The SIS comprise eight of your smaller

island states and include the Cook

Islands, Federated States of Micronesia,

Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Republic of

the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu.)

The Strategy supports the principles of the

Framework for Pacific Regionalism and aims to

ensure its priorities are included in, and

aligned to, the Framework.

SIS Leaders have emphasised the importance

of translating their Strategy into time bound

actions, supported by genuine and durable

partnerships. As an important regional

organisation, SPREP has a critical part to play

in progressing the aspirations of the SIS.

The Strategy calls for action in five key result

areas, of which two are most pertinent to

SPREP’s areas of work, including:

Climate finance: an SIS regional

programme to access Green Climate

Fund resources for national

implementation; and,

Marine: sustainable and enhanced

economic financial returns for SIS from

marine resources, including focused SIS

actions embedded within the

implementation of the Regional

Fisheries Roadmap

PIFS is currently drafting the Strategy’s

Implementation Plan and CROP agencies and

relevant partners will be called on to engage

and to confirm the extent of their support and

resourcing.

At their recent meeting in Pohnpei, SIS Leaders

requested CROP agencies to integrate key

actions of the SIS Strategy into their

programme frameworks.

Analysis of Governance and Financing

Finally, I would like to make brief remarks on

the PIFS-led analysis of governance and

financing options in the pursuit of Pacific

regionalism, which was included in your paper

on the “Framework for Pacific Regionalism.”

The Pacific region’s countries and territories

are at the heart of the analysis, which seeks to

support the deepening of regionalism and

achieving the Leaders Vision, as envisaged by

the Framework for Pacific Regionalism.

It seeks to identify the most effective

arrangements for drawing upon the resources

and political attention necessary to achieve the

region’s shared priorities - and this

necessitates a region-wide conversation.

55

Governing bodies of CROP agencies, such as

this and future SPREP meetings play a key role

in facilitating the coherence of a shared

regional agenda. They are also key to ensuring

appropriate and proportionate allocations are

made of collective resources, and that there is

continued improvement in CROP cooperation,

coordination and collaboration.

We are pleased that the former SPREP Chair,

New Zealand, as represented by High

Commissioner to Samoa, HE Ms Jackie Frizelle

(accompanied by SPREP’s DG), was able to

participate in the first meeting of the Joint

CROP Steering Committee on RGF –

comprising all Chairs of CROP governing

bodies - held in Suva in July, 2016.

We encourage all PICTS to engage as actively

as possibly in the regional dialogue that will be

facilitated by this analysis.

Closing Remarks

In closing, I would like to, on behalf of PIFS

Secretary General Dame Meg Taylor, thank

Director-General Kosi Latu and the SPREP staff

for a productive 2015/16 period and for the

continued collaboration and commitment

shown in working with the Forum Secretariat

and with other members of the CROP family,

as we seek to serve our countries and

territories as best we can.

----------------------

Secretariat of the Pacific Community

Chair,

On behalf of the SPC Director General, Dr Colin

Tukuitonga, let me first join others in thanking

Niue for the hospitality in hosting this

meeting, and extending appreciation to the

SPREP Secretariat for an excellent

organisation and for attending to our various

needs.

The Pacific Community is grateful to SPREP for

the opportunity to attend this meeting. I

would like to convey the apologies of SPC

Director General, Dr. Colin Tukuitonga, who is

unable to attend but who extends his best

wishes for very fruitful discussions on the

matters before the Meeting.

As you know, SPC places great value on its

long term relationship with its partner

organisation SPREP, as well as ongoing

collaboration with other CROP agencies and

partners in the Pacific, as a way to deliver most

effective and comprehensive assistance to our

region.

I am pleased to report that SPC has been

enhancing its collaboration with SPREP. Let me

take that opportunity to highlight a few areas:

On Climate Change, SPC has been

contributed to the SPREP-led One CROP

team preparing and attending UNFCC

COPs, works closely with SPREP on

designing GCF and Adaptation projects to

the benefit of PICs and collaborates on

issues such as ocean acidification or

renewable energy center in Tonga;

On Deep Sea Mining, SPC welcomes the

contribution of SPREP on environmental

aspects of DSM, as SPC pursues work to

provide assistance to PICs in policy,

regulations and capacity building and in

framing a regional DSM agreement;

On fisheries, SPC welcomes the progress

in the EU-PEUMP project and the

contribution of SPREP in implementation

of that project;

SPC welcomes the Leaders’ endorsement

of the FRDP and the convening by PIF of

the forthcoming working group that will

develop institutional and implementation

arrangements. I confirm that SPC wishes

to take an active role in structuring a most

efficient architecture for coordinating and

56

implementing the FRDP, in all areas of

disaster risk reduction, resilience building

and adaptation, and climate change

mitigation and welcomes further

partnership with SPREP to ensure most

efficient implementation in our respective

areas of competence.

Through the EU INTEGRE and AFD/FFEM

projects, SPC carries out joint activities in

areas such as waste management,

ecotourism, ICZM or organic farming and,

through these initiatives, ensuring full

integration of the pacific territories and

countries in regional approaches.

I would also like to take this opportunity to

underscore that SPC is committed, like SPREP

and other CROP agencies, to undertake

internal institutional changes such as

strengthening cross-programmatic

collaboration, enhancing efficient financial

management, putting in place full cost

recovery of our actions and refocusing our

programme where we add values to our

Members’s priorities. SPC shall pursue

collaboration with SPREP on enhancing

synergies in our respective strategic plan and

identifying commonly-agreed solutions to

address our structural and financial challenges.

I thank you for your attention.

----------------------

United Nations Environment (UNEP)

Madame Chair, Honorable Ministers,

delegates, ladies and gentlemen, UN

Environment is committed to continue working

with SPREP and other partners to support

Pacific Island States to achieve the Sustainable

Development Goals, and implement the

SAMOA Pathway and relevant Resolutions of

the United Nations Environment Assembly

2016. We are committed to facilitate our

engagements through the UN Environment

Asia Pacific and Pacific Sub-regional offices to

strengthen our partnerships In 2017 we will

focus our support in three key areas:

Supporting oceans related issues in

particular to use UN Environment’s global

and regional networks and platforms such

as the Global Oceans Conference in June

2017 to raise the profile of Pacific

initiatives on oceans, in particular the

Pacific Oceanscape Framework.

Promoting Sustainable Consumption and

Production (SCP) in areas such as waste

management, tourism, procurement, food

waste, clean technology, energy efficiency

and education. UN Environment will share

its experience in addressing SCP in Asia,

Africa and the Caribbean to develop a

Pacific approach for resource efficiency.

Supporting the Pacific climate change

resilience initiatives through access to

finance and technology, and explore the

nexus between climate change , human

rights and gender in the Pacific.

Underpinning all this is our continued

partnership with SPREP to strengthen

environmental governance so as to meet

Sustainable Development Goals through

effective policy and regulatory frameworks and

robust policy and planning processes. We will

further support the strengthening of capacity

of Pacific Island countries in data assessments,

monitoring and reporting of the environmental

dimensions of integrated approaches for

sustainable development with socio and

economic dimensions.

Finally let me thank all Pacific Island countries

for your continued support and financial

contributions to UN Environment and we

welcome your continued engagement in 2017

in the 2nd Asia Pacific Ministerial and

Environmental Authorities Forum and the 3rd

United Nations Environment Assembly to raise

57

and advocate the environmental successes and

needs of the Pacific

Isabelle Louis, Director, Regional Office for Asia

and the Pacific

----------------------

University of the South Pacific (USP)

USP is pleased to be invited to this 27th SPREP

Council meeting and wish to congratulate Kosi

Latu for the first SPREP Council Meeting as

Director General. USP looks forward to

continuing the good and cordial working

relationship with SPREP as part of the CROP

organisations partnership.

USP has partnered and collaborated with

SPREP and other CROP agencies in a number

Committees and Initiatives including the

Climate change Round table, the Pacific

Climate Change portal and UNFCCC COP

preparations, the Technical Working Group on

the Framework for Resilient Development in

the Pacific (FRDP) and other Regional

Networking for example on EIA.

In terms of projects, USP is a partner in the

Pacific Islands Ocean Acidification Vulnerability

Assessment and few others.

USP will continue to collaborate and partner

with SPREP in future opportunities such as the

Pacific Climate Change Centre, especially in the

areas of training and research.

The USP is the regional institute for Teaching,

Learning and Research and our academic

programmes cover the four SPREP core

priorities and focus areas including Climate

Change and Resilient Development; Ecosystem

and Biodiversity Protection; Waste

Management; and Environmental Governance.

We hope that lessons learnt and experiences

from implementing activities under these four

priority and focus areas can feed into USP’s

academic programme so that we can continue

to tailor the courses that are relevant and

appropriate and meet the needs of the Pacific

Island Countries and Territories that we serve.

Finally, USP would like to thank the

Government and people of Niue for hosting

this 27 SPREP Council meeting and for the

wonderful hospitality.

Thank you madam Chair.

58

Fellow Ministers, Director General for SPREP,

SPREP Meeting delegates and staff, Fakaalofa

Lahi Atu kia mutolu oti. Fakaaue ke he haana

fakalofa noa kua moua e tautolu e aho

fulufuluola nei.

It is my pleasure to formally welcome you to

Niue. Thank you for accepting my invitation to

come to Niue for this High Level Segment. I

wish and hope that you will have had an

enjoyable yet productive week ahead of you

during your stay on our Rock.

Our theme for this High Level Session is

Resilient Pacific and we have been invited to

speak on 3 broad categories, Sustainable

Development Goals, Climate Change and

Oceans. I will provide some overall remarks.

Resilient Pacific. What does this mean? I am

pleased to note that SPREP’s overarching

vision for its new Strategic Plan captures the

essence of survival and endurance. Pacific

Islanders are survivors as we have faced so

many challenges especially in the political

world switching colonial rule to independent

or self-governed states. We have also survived

many natural disasters, although increasingly,

we are starting to feel the cost of such on our

economies, environment and our way of life.

We have endured and we have adapted

because our people matters; our cultures and

traditions, and our environment matters.

Therefore, I am pleased that the Strategic

vision for SPREP for the next ten years is for a

Resilient Pacific environment sustaining our

livelihoods and natural heritage in harmony

with our cultures.

Yes, we are survivors and we have endured

however at some point we need to take stock

of our FALE and ensure we are bedded down

firmly to withstand storms and category 5

cyclones that will hit us in many forms. Yes,

we are parties to a number of Multilateral

Environment Agreements to safeguard and/or

protect our environment especially

endangered species of fauna and flora but are

those having any impact? Do we need to be

part of those MEAs to be ensured our

environment is safe and endangered species

are protected? There are things that we can

do to safeguard our environments and protect

endangered species at the local levels and

these are the things we can do without cost.

This is because we have traditional knowledge

and ways. But these traditional knowledge

and ways are also being challenged.

The changing climatic patterns are already

challenging our current knowledge and the

models developed over the years to help us

make predictions and inform our actions. I

understand that the Category 5 Cyclone that

recently hit Fiji at the beginning of this year

was very severe to the point where our

scientists may need to extend the measure on

the strength of the Cyclones. For the last

cyclone season for Niue, we had at least 4

cyclones that hovered around us and although

we were fortunate that we escaped a direct hit,

the patterns of the cyclones baffled us and

challenged our knowledge. Normally, cyclones

travelled from the northwest and head south

east but the last season, this was not. Our

eastern side of the island and the people

residing in that part got to the experience for

the first time the impact of rough seas and

59

strong winds that were normally experienced

by those residents in the western side of the

island. Our National Disaster Committee

declared Yellow Alert but residents in the

western side of the island did not think the

winds were strong enough to warrant

boarding up their houses. This is risky

because as we observed from Fiji experience

with Cyclone Winston.

Temperatures for the sea record highest levels

for Niue in February this year and its impact

will start to show eventually. Coral bleaching

is imminent due to rising temperature and we

have already observed the impact of this in our

region. Therefore, I am pleased to that there is

a project on Ocean Acidification that is

currently in place and moreso, that the Ocean

is a crosscutting theme in the SPREP strategic

plan. We are large ocean states and therefore

we have our sea as the food bank for our

people. Seafood features prominently in our

everyday diets and therefore we need to

safeguard our oceans. If our corals are

bleached, our food source will be at risk and

this is something we do not want.

As indicated earlier, climate change is already

challenging our traditional knowledge, our way

of life and our food sources for survival. If we

are to be a resilient pacific, we need to adapt

and mitigate. Yes, we do have the 17

Sustainable Development Goals and

international assistance and support. And we

have been successful in receiving support to

address our vulnerabilities. However, I do

believe we now need to change our tactics and

focus on our strengths instead of our

vulnerabilities to enhance our resilience. We

are resilient but like any house that has battled

cyclones, we need to strengthen and tighten

our harnesses so we can survive and endure

many more that yet to come our way.

Lastly, I acknowledge the work of SPREP

members and the secretariat throughout the

week. They have worked tirelessly to put

before us a plan that will bring forth a

promising future to accommodate some of our

challenges and vulnerabilities in this changing

environment. Our spirit of togetherness is

highly needed to progress towards that future.

Niue strongly reaffirms the need for the

secretariat to take the lead and champion the

issues in respect to climate change and FRDD

(Framework for Resilient Development in the

Pacific).

Today’s forum offers us the opportunity to put

together some of the harnesses of survival and

I look forward to our deliberations this

morning.

Fakaue lahi.

60

At the Twenty-seventh SPREP Meeting

Ministerial segment held on 22 September

2016 in Alofi, Niue, Environment Ministers and

Ministerial Representatives adopted the

following Declaration.

We, the Environment Ministers, and Ministerial

Representatives:

Affirming that the 2030 Agenda for

Sustainable Development is a concerted effort

by the world community to overcome

intractable global problems, including

environmental sustainability and the existential

threat to Pacific island countries and territories

caused by climate change and the acute

pressures confronting our region’s ocean;

Recognising that urgent measures are needed

to increase Pacific island countries and

territories’ resilience to withstand these threats

and to achieve environmental sustainability so

as to collectively build resilient Pacific

communities;

1. 2030 Agenda for Sustainable

Development

ACKNOWLEDGE SPREP’s past and current

work on sustainable development, oceans,

climate change, biodiversity, waste, and

resilience building;

NOTE SPREP’s participation in the

development of a draft Outline of the Pacific

SDGs Roadmap for joint regional reporting

and implementation on the sustainable

development goals (SDGs), the SAMOA

Pathway and the Framework for Pacific

Regionalism, noting that the final Roadmap

will be submitted to Leaders for approval in

September 2017;

NOTE that SPREP will assist Pacific Members in

the delivery of the environmental dimensions

of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable

Development including Goal 13 “Take urgent

action to combat climate change and its

impacts”, Goal 14 “Conserve and sustainably

use the oceans, seas and marine resources for

sustainable development” and Goal 15

“Sustainably manage forests, combat

desertification, halt and reverse land

degradation, halt biodiversity loss”;

URGE SPREP Members to incorporate relevant

SDG targets within national planning and

monitoring documents and national

development plans;

2. Climate Change

WELCOME the Paris Agreement and

emphasise the importance of achieving the

Paris Agreement’s commitment to pursuing

efforts to limit the global temperature increase

to 1.5°C above pre-industrialised levels, and

RECOGNISE that climate change is an

existential threat for many SPREP Members

which must be addressed with urgency;

APPRECIATE the Forum Leaders’ endorsement

of the Framework for Resilient Development in

the Pacific (FRDP): An Integrated Approach to

Addressing Climate Change and Disaster Risk

Management and agree for it to be fully

elaborated and operationalised upon the entry

into force of the Paris Agreement and TASK

61

the Secretariat to continue working in close

collaboration with Members, CROP agencies

and relevant partners in the implementation of

the FRDP to ensure integrated good

governance of the FRDP, and the best use of

the region’s technical and political resources to

build Pacific resilience to climate change and

disaster risk reduction;

AGREE our common understanding of

resilience as the ability of a system, community

or society exposed to natural hazards or

climate change, to resist, absorb,

accommodate, recover and transfer the

consequences of a hazard event or of climate

change in a timely and efficient manner;

ACKNOWLEDGE that to build effective

resilience, proactive responses to climate

change and disasters must include

consideration of political, economic, social,

and environmental factors and be inclusive of

all stakeholders;

ENCOURAGE capacity to be built into national

weather services for better forecasting,

prediction and long term projections;

EXPRESS our deep concern and commitment

to address climate change impacts and other

hazards as a development priority in the

Pacific region and reiterate the call for SPREP

to renew efforts to secure strategic

partnerships towards achieving sustainable

outcomes for resilience in the region;

ACKNOWLEDGING the breadth of

responsibilities associated with addressing

climate change impacts and other hazards,

CALL upon SPREP to work with other CROP

agencies in order to build consensus among

partners leading to practical adaptation and

mitigation interventions for Members;

EXPRESS appreciation for the joint partnership

by SPREP, the Government of Samoa and the

Government of Japan to establish the Pacific

Climate Change Centre as a regional hub and

centre of excellence for coordinating strategic

and effective Pacific solutions on climate

change, and supporting implementation of

high level agreements such as the Paris

Agreement, the SAMOA Pathway, the SDGs,

and the FRDP;

RECOGNISING the constraints of least

developed countries and small island states in

the Pacific region CALL on all development

partners to collaborate effectively towards a

quick, timely and effective delivery of climate

change financing to Pacific island Members;

ACKNOWLEDGE the critical role of SPREP,

working in close collaboration with other

partners, to assist Members to access climate

financing from the Global Environment Facility

(GEF), Green Climate Fund (GCF), the

Adaptation Fund (AF) and other sources of

funding that Members are eligible to receive

for addressing impacts of climate change and

natural hazards;

COMMEND SPREP’s success in attaining

accredited entity status with both the GCF and

the AF, and note its work towards accreditation

with the GEF, and ENCOURAGE the Secretariat

to strengthen its capacity to facilitate Members

access to these funds, including through

available readiness funding;

CONFIRM that with the threat of climate

change we commit ourselves to continue to

work to address this challenge, with the

support of SPREP, at the international level;

62

3. Oceans

REAFFIRM that the Pacific region's most

important natural resource is the ocean which

underpins our identity and community

livelihoods, as reaffirmed by the Leaders in

their Pohnpei Ocean Statement, and

ENDORSE integrated ocean management as a

crucial policy approach of the Framework for a

Pacific Oceanscape, to ensure that multi-

sectoral, multi-jurisdictional and multi-level

governance systems lead to sustainable blue

economies, noting that many Members are

now progressing with EEZ-scale ocean policies

and marine spatial planning, to guide their way

to a sustainable future;

APPRECIATE the Leaders' reaffirmation of

support to the Office of the Pacific Ocean

Commissioner given its central role with

respect to ocean governance and integrated

ocean management in the region, under the

Framework for a Pacific Oceanscape.

CONGRATULATE the United States of

America on its announcement to greatly

expand the Papahānaumokuākea Marine

National Monument, now the largest marine

protected area in the world, and also

CONGRATULATE the United Kingdom on the

establishment of the Pitcairn Islands Marine

Reserve and NOTE that these initiatives add to

the existing commitments by Pacific island

countries and territories to protect the Pacific

Ocean, including establishment of large-scale

reserves and sanctuaries by Palau, Cook

Islands and New Caledonia;

NOTE that the UN Conference on Oceans and

Seas to support the implementation of SDG14,

5 – 9 June 2017, will now be held in New York,

co-hosted by Fiji and Sweden. The Conference

will provide the Pacific with another

opportunity to lead the way and demonstrate

its collective interest in the sustainable

development, management and conservation

of the Pacific Ocean and its resources;

NOTE with concern the predicted threats from

ocean acidification and rising sea

temperatures, especially in conjunction with El

Niño events, including impacts on coral reefs

and fish resources that support the livelihoods

of Pacific island people;

CALL on SPREP and its partners to strengthen

their efforts to build capacity in Pacific island

Members to design and implement

programmes to protect and sustainably

manage coral reefs, lagoons, nearshore waters,

mangroves and seagrass to mitigate the

impacts of warming waters and adapt to

climate change impacts and ocean

acidification;

NOTE that ocean health is also critically

dependent on reducing the impact of

pollutants from both marine and land-based

sources and CALL on SPREP to work with

Members and partners to develop integrated

approaches to address this critical issue,

including marine debris;

NOTE with concern the rapid decline in

populations of many shark species and the

decrease in other iconic marine species that

are part of Pacific natural and cultural heritage.

CONGRATULATE Fiji for being a regional and

global leader in championing conservation

measures for sharks and rays at the

forthcoming CITES Conference of the Parties,

in addition to Palau and Samoa for co-

sponsoring the proposals;

63

SUPPORT resolution of issues relating to

Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction and

NOTE with appreciation SPREP technical

support to Pacific island Members engaged in

the Development of an International Legally

Binding Instrument under the United Nations

Convention on the Law of the Sea on the

Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine

Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National

Jurisdiction.

SINCERELY THANK the Government and

People of Niue for the warm and generous

hospitality extended to us during our stay in

Niue, and THANK the Secretariat for its efforts

in organising this successful meeting.

Alofi, Niue

22 September 2016

t: +685 21929 f: +685 20231 w: report... · 2018-06-09 · provided an overview report on progress...

Documents